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THE ILIAD OF HOMER. 



..V* 






HOMER. 



• 



THE ILIAD; 



ACHILLES' WRATH; AT THE SIEGE OF ILIOX. 



REPRODUCED IN DRAMATIC BLANK VERSE. 



T. S. NOKGATE. 




WILLIAMS AND NORGATE. 

14, HENRIETTA STREET, COVENT GARDEN, LONDON; 

AND 

20, SOUTH FEEDERICK STEEET, EDINBURGH. 

1864. 



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7 



HERTFORD : 

PRINTED BY STEPHEN AUSTIN. 



PREFACE. 



In addition to the many existing translations of the Iliad, 
another attempt at such is here offered to the notice of the 
English reader : and sure there will be many another yet. 
For any one who reads Homer's own Poems, and looks into 
any English translations, cannot but feel how lucklessly they 
fall short of giving to the English reader anything like an 
adequate idea of what Homer is, — whether in his matter, or 
in his manner ; his marvellous imagery, sometimes unfolded 
in many words, sometimes in a single one, and that utterly 
untranslatable by a single one ; his very childlike simplicity 
at all times ; his power of bringing before the eye of the 
readers or hearer's mind rapid and distinct dioramas of human 
life and action, ever varying, ever natural, ever pleasing, ever 
instructive ; though sometimes awful, sometimes ludicrous, 
sometimes tenderly touching: and all this in words that fly 
on wings of wild-fire. And it does seem that any one, looking 
into our so-called English translations, and finding how unmeet 
they are, must feel a wish to make, at all hazards, the attempt 
-at rendering into his own mother-tongue some portion of the 



VI PREFACE. 

old Prince of Poets' compositions ; in the hope, however hope- 
less, of reproducing them in a more fitting garb, according at 
least to the translator's own peculiar taste and judgment. Some 
will choose one metre, some another; and some will choose 
a medley of metres. One will insist on archaic, one on medi- 
aeval, one on modern, language ; one on Saxon-English, another 
on Latin-English. This man will be fain for rhyme, for which 
he must be content to forego no few points of his original; 
another will give in English words indeed, bare word for word, 
so close a translation, that it is altogether unintelligible without 
the Greek original to explain it; and thereby will utterly defeat 
his own professed object of giving Homer to the English reader. 
Another will give a paraphrase rather than Homer's own pecu- 
liar idiom. Another will refuse to see Homer's simplicity and 
straightforwardness, and will make him speak the language of 
modern sentiment, or of modern conventionalism, or in abstract 
rather than in concrete terms ; will speak, for instance, of 
"Hanger" when Homer speaks of "Belly" and personifies it: 
another will be for ever foisting in his own proper stuff, adul- 
terating and diluting the real matter, or frequently omitting 
it entirely, for the sake of his rhymes. 

But all these attempts, with failure more or less, will surely 
prepare the ground for some one eventually to produce a strong 
and full translation, in racy plain simple English, and in some 
one metre, without stanzas, that shall have a continuous and 
rapid flight. Homer's ow T n lines vary in the number of their 



PREFACE. Vll 

syllables from thirteen to seventeen : the average will probably 
be found to be about sixteen syllables : yet each line has neither 
more nor less than six feet (measures, or metres), and is there- 
fore called an " hexameter :" and it appears to me that the 
English line adopted for translation of Homer should be such 
as has an unvarying number of feet, and yet a varying number 
of syllables : at the same time I quite agree with those who 
think the strict hexameter (dactylic, or Homeric, metre) itself 
to be utterly uncongenial to the English language. 

The dramatic blank verse, with its five metres (the last metre 
or foot of the line very frequently having an additional weak 
syllable),— such as is generally used by Shakespeare, and by 
Milton in his " Comus," appears to me the best vehicle for 
Homeric translation ; and accordingly I have persevered in my 
adherence to it for reproduction of the Iliad, which is here 
offered in the hope it may possibly find acceptance with some 
among the many English readers who are desirous of seeing 
Homer from another point of view, and of gaining a closer 
access to him by means of several independent translations. 

T. S. N. 

Sparham, May, 1864. 



>, 






E BEAT A. 



Tage 30, line 11, strike out " the" before "speed" 
„ 85, ,, 384, after " Helen" should be a semicolon. 
„ 514, ,, 3 2, fo r u to- morow" read " to-morrow" 
„ 677, „ 364, strike out the apostrophe after " Achaians" 
„ 679, „ 417, after "thither" should be only a comm^. 






THE ILIAD OF HOMER. 



ARGUMENT OF THE FIRST BOOK. A. 

Invocation to the Muse. — Chryses, priest of Apollo, comes to the 
Achaian camp in hope to redeem his daughter. Agamemnon, however, 
the commander in chief, whose prize she is, spurns his petition. The 
old priest prays his god to avenge him : Apollo sends a fatal pestilence 
into the Achaian camp. Achilles calls an assemhly for enquiry; at 
which the augur Calchas declares that Agamemnon is the cause of the 
plague : Agamemnon agrees to give up the damsel, but demands an 
equivalent to be given him. Achilles accuses him of avarice : Agamem- 
non declares he will take an equivalent by force. Achilles rates him 
roundly, and threatens to quit and go home. Agamemnon in return 
threatens to take from him his prize damsel, Briseis. — Achilles is on the 
point of drawing his sword on Agamemnon, but Athene, the goddess of 
Wisdom, checks him : still they wrangle till the assembly is broken up. 
Agamemnon takes Briseis, as he had threatened. Achilles invokes his 
goddess-mother, Thetis, to ask Zeus for vengeance on Agamemnon. This 
she does, and obtains his assent. Thence arise quarrels on Olympus 
between Zeus and his Queen-wife Here : their son Hephaistos restores 
peace between them. 



ALPHA : the prayers of Chryses : plague breaks out 
' Mongst the Argive host : the quarrel of their Chiefs. 



Goddess ! sing the wrath of Peleus' son, 
Achilles' wrath,— baneful, — that on the Achaians 
Brought countless woes ; and sent untimely down 
Full many a chieftain's mighty soul to Hades ; 
And gave their bodies for a prey to dogs, 

'-■■■- l 



,*« 



« -7 



* THE ILIAD. I. 

5 # And to all manner of birds : (but Jove's high will 
Was on achievement) from the time when first 
Atreides, chief of chiefs, and prince Achilles 
Quarrelled and were at strife. And who of the gods,— 
Who — brought them to dispute in strife together ? 
The son of Zeus and Leto : for enraged 
Against the king was He, and he spread sore sickness 

10 Throughout the host ; and men began to die ; 
Because Atreides treated, yea, his priest, 
The venerable Chryses, with dishonour : 
For come had he to the Argives' nimble ships, — 
Bearing in hand a wreath on golden sceptre, 
A chaplet of Apollo, the Far-shooting, — 
And bringing countless ransom, to redeem 

15 His daughter; and he prayed the Achaians all, 
But most of all the marshallers of the host, 
Atreus' two sons: — " both ye sons of Atreus, 
1 And all ye fair-greaved Argives ! — may the gods, 
' Who dwell in high Olympian halls, give You 

I To sack Priam's Town, and to return safe home ! 

* But now stand ye in awe of Jove's dread son, 
20 ' Apollo, the Far-shooting, — and release 

' Unto me my dear daughter ; and kindly take 
' This for her ransom-price." — Hereat at once 
All the other Argives shouted their assent, 
Both to revere the priest, and to accept 
The splendid ransom : this howe'er pleased not 
Atreides Agamemnon's heart, who harshly 
25 Sent him away, and added this rough speech : 

II Let me not here by our hollow ships, Old Man, 
1 Light upon thee, — or lingering now, or coming 

* The marginal figures refer to the corresponding passages in the Greek. 



BOOK A. 3 

* Again hereafter, — no, for neither sceptre, 

4 Nor the god's chaplet, should avail thee aught 
1 But Her 111 not release ; until old age 
1 Shall come upon her in our house at Argos, 
30 ' Far from her fatherland ; and she shall ply 

* The loom, and share my bed. But hie ! begone! 

* Provoke me not, — so mayst thou hence return 
' Safer and sounder!" — Spake he thus : whereat 

That old man feared, — and straight obeyed his bidding ; 
And silent — went away, along the shore 
Of the loud-sounding sea : the reverend sire, 

35 Being come afar, prayed then aloud to his lord, 
Apollo, whom the fair-haired Leto bore : 
" Hear me, Smintheus ! Thou of the Silver Bow ! 
' Who guardest Chryse, and the sacred Cille, 
1 And rul'st o'er Tenedos with mighty sway ! 
' If e'er I've wreathed thee a graceful temple's roof, 

40 ' Or if at any time I've burnt for thee 

1 Goats' and bulls' goodly thigh-bones, fulfil me 
1 This my desire : let the Danaans pay 
' Yea for my tears by taste of thy swift arrows ! " 
So spake he praying : to whom a gracious ear 
Phoebus Apollo gave ; and angry at heart 
Down from Olympus' tops he came, — with bow, 

45 And quiver covered close, upon his shoulders : 
Whereat, e'en as he moved along, his arrows 
Rattled upon his shoulders in his wrath : 
And he,— like unto night he came ; then sat him, 
Off from the ships, and sent an arrow amongst them : 
And of the Silver Bow the twang was fearful. 

50 Their mules he first attacked, and their swift hounds ; 
And Then upon themselves a piercing shaft 



„\G 



4 THE ILIAD. I. 

He launched, and he did hit : — and of dead bodies 
Were funeral-pyres then lighted, — ever crowded. 
For nine days long the god's keen shafts did sweep 
Through all the host : and on the tenth — to assembly 
Achilles called the men ; for into his mind 
55 E'en so the goddess, white-armed Here, put it; 
So sorely troubled was she for the Danaans, 
For that she saw them dying. Soon as gathered, 
And into assembly, were they come together, 
Amongst them rose Achilles, the Swift-footed, 
And outspake thus : " Atreides ! now methinks, — 
' Seeing how the war and pestilence together 
60 ' Are bowing down the Achaians, — we should forth, 
6 And wander back again and sail for home, 
' If haply would we escape from Death. But come, 
' Seek we now counsel of some seer, or priest, 
' Or also interpreter of dreams (for sure, 
' Yea even a dream is forth from Zeus) ; to tell us 
' Wherefore Apollo Phoebus is so wroth : 
65 ' Whether because of hecatomb, or vow, 
4 He's finding fault with us : if haply at all 
' He'll graciously accept the steamy savour 
4 Of lambs or goats all free from spot and blemish, 
4 And so vouchsafe to ward off mischief from us." 
So saying, he sat him down : whereat amongst them 
Calchas Thestorides upstood,— the best, 
70 By far, of augurs versed in flight of birds,— 

One who knew well the present, past, and future ; 

And who was leader of the Achaians' ships 

To Ilion,— by that art of divination 

Phoebus Apollo gave him : with sage thought 

And kind towards them thus he harangued, and said : 



ft; 



BOOK A. 5 

" Achilles, loved of Zeus, thou bidst me tell 

75 i The wrath of lord Apollo, the Far-shooting. 

' I '11 therefore say : but thou, — take heed to me, — 
* And swear to me, thou 'It sure be of ready soul 
' By word and hand to help me. For of surety 
1 Angered, I ween, will be the Man who rules 
' O'er all the Argives with a mighty power ; 
1 And him the Achaians here obey. A king 

80 ' Is rather strong, whene'er shall he be wroth 
4 Against a man of meaner rank : for close 
' Down howsoe'er for that same day he stifles 
' His bitter rage, — yet sure he keeps thereafter 
4 A grudge within his breast, until he gluts it : 
' Consider thou then, whether wilt thou save me." 
Then answered him Achilles, the Swift-footed : 

So " Take right good heart, and say the prophecy, 

' Whate'er thou know'st : for no, — I swear by Apollo 
' Jove's beloved son, to whom thou pray'st, Calchas, 
' And makest known his oracles to Danaans, — 
' No one, — while I am yet living and behold 
' Daylight on earth, — shall lay his heavy hands 
' On Thee, here by our hollow ships, — no, none 

90 ' Of all the Danaans, not e'en Agamemnon, — 

' If Him thou mean'st, — who here o'er all the army 
4 Now vaunts him far the best." Now hereupon, 
The faultless seer took heart, and outspake thus : 
44 Not either for a vow, or hecatomb, 
4 Does He find fault with us ; — but for his priest, 
4 Whom Agamemnon treated with dishonour, 

95 4 And did not set his daughter free, and accept 

' Her ransom. Sent has therefore the Far-shooter 
4 Troubles upon us, and he'll send more yet ; 



THE ILIAD. I, 



' And not will He hold off his heavy hands 
' From pestilence, — until yeVe rendered back 
6 Free, without recompense or ransom-money, 
1 The quick-eyed damsel to her own dear father, 

100 ' And sent a sacred hecatomb to Chryse : 

' Then haply may we appease the god and move him/* 
So saying, he sat him down : whereat amongst them 
The lord Atreides, broad-realm^d Agamemnon, 
Upstood, sore troubled; and his heart was wrapped 
In darkness and all filled with mighty rage, 
And both his eyes looked like a flashing fire : 

105 First with ill-boding scowl he looked on Calchas, 

And thus addressed him : " Nought for me agreeable 

' Seer of mischief, ever hast thou uttered ! 

' Aye does it please thy soul to prophesy 

6 These troubles : good word never hast thou spoken,. 

t Nor done good deed ; and here thou 'rt prophesying,, 

i And now art holding forth before the Danaans, — 

110 ' As though indeed Apollo, the Far-shooting, 

i Were working them these woes an This account, — 

1 Because forsooth no wish had / to accept 

' The splendid ransom for the girl Chryseis : 

i Seeing how at home would I much rather have her t 

1 For rather would I her than Clytemnestra, 

' My wedded wife ; since ne'er a whit her worser 

115 ' Is she in frame, or comely growth, or wit, 

1 Or handiwork. Nathless,— if so 'tis better,— 

' I 'm willing to restore her : I, I had rather 

6 My people should be safe and sound, than perish* 

' Provide me at once howe'er a gift of honour ; 

i That not,— of all the Achaians, — / alone 

L Be without recompense ; for 't is not fitting. 



BOOK A. 

For this ye all see plain, — that My reward 
Thus goes another way." — Then answered him 

The able-footed prince Achilles : " What I 
Atreides, glorious most of all !—of all 
Most covetous ! How should the high-souled Argives 
Give thee a gift of honour ? Neither know we 
Of any treasured plenty in common stock ; 
But shared is all we pillaged from the Towns ; 
And 't is not fitting that the soldiers gather 
All this again together. But do thou 
At once give up this damsel to the god : 
And recompense will we Achaians give thee, 
Three-fold and four-fold ; if but ever Zeus 
Grants us to sack the strong-walled Town of Troy." 

Straight answered him the chieftain Agamemnon : 
1 Treat me not thus with guile, godlike Achilles, 
Brave as thou art : sinee not shalt thou prevail, 
Nor pass upon me so. Thy gift of honour 
Dost wish thyself to keep forsooth, — but Me 
To be without, and sit down all the same ? 
And bidst thou Me to give the damsel back ? 
Yet if indeed the high-souled Argives give me 
A recompense, and fit it to my liking, — 
So it be worth as much ;— why, well and good : 
But if they give not, — I myself will go 
And seize — or thine, or Ajax' gift, — or else 
Odusseus' prize I'll take and carry off: 
And angered, yea, so let him be forsooth, 
To whom I haply go. But all these matters 
Consider will we yet again hereafter : 
But now, come launch we into the vasty sea 
A dusky ship, and gather an able gang 



THE ILIAD. I. 



' Of oarsmen for her service ; and on board 

1 Stow we a hecatomb, and also on board 

1 Put we this damsel, comely-cheeked Chryseis : 

145 ' And let there be some one chief man of counsel 
' For captain, either Idomeneus, or Ajax, 
1 Or prince Odusseus ; or e'en Thou, Peleides, 
' Of all men terriblest ! that the Far-shooter 
1 Unto us may'st thou appease with sacrifices." 
To whom then spake Achilles the Swift-footed, 
Eyeing him grimly : " Clad in impudence ! 

150 ' Crafty gain-seeker ! how with ready soul 

' Should any of all the Achaians heed thy bidding, 

' Whether for going abroad, or doing battle 

1 Boldly with foemen ? hither came not I 

' To fight on grudge of Mine, 'gainst Trojan spearmen ; 

' Since, as to Me, — in no ways are they guilty. 

' For never have they driven away My cows, 

155 ' Nor yet my mares ; nor ever have they ravaged 
' My fruits in Phthia's rich cloddy soil, the nurse 
1 Of doughty men ; for that there lie between us 
1 The roaring sea and many a shadowy mountain. 
' But Thee, unabashed ! for Thy good pleasure, 
1 We followed Thee, to win amends from Trojans 
' For Menelaiis and for Thee, dog-faced, — 

160 ' Service, — thou heedest never a whit nor countest. 
\ And now thou'rt holding out a threat of stripping 
1 Me of my prize, — for which I 've toiled so hard ; 
1 And which the Achaians' sons have freely giv'n me. 
' Never indeed have I a gift of honour 
1 Equal to thine, whene'er the Achaians plunder 
' Some fair-built Town of Trojans. But my hands, 

165 ' Mine, manage more than half the brunt of battle : 



BOOK A. 9 

Yet when of spoil there ever comes a sharing, 
Thine is by far the bigger prize : while I, — 
Down at the ships whene'er I 'm weary of fighting, — 
But a small prize come I to have, though dear. 
So away to Phthia now will I ; since better, 
Far better is 't with all my crook-beaked ships 
That I go home : and not do I mean to stay 
Unhonoured here, — for thee to go on drawing 
Eiches and wealth." To whom then Agamemnon 

The chieftain of the host replied : " Flee away ! 
By all means ! if thy heart be that way set ! 
Not do I beg thee stay for sake of Me : 
E'en others are there here who '11 honour me ; 
And specially will Zeus the lord of counsel. 
But of all Jove-loved princes, the most hateful 
Art thou to me ; for quarrel, strife, and wrangling 
Are always thy delight. Bold howsoe'er, 
Yea passing bold, thou art,— this gift forsooth 
The god, I ween, has given thee. Go then home 
Together with thy ships and all thy comrades, 
And lord it o'er thy Myrmidons : for thee 
I care not, nor do I heed thy wrath a whit : 
Yet thus I '11 threaten thee : — since from me now 
Phcebus Apollo takes away Chryseis, 
Her will I send, on board a ship of mine 
And with my friends ; but come will I myself 
Unto thy camp-hut, and I'll carry away 
That prize of thine, the comely-cheeked Briseis ; 
So may'st thou know full well, how I'm thy better ; 
And others too may fear to vaunt them equal 
To Me and to match them openly against me." 

He spake : but in Peleides there arose 



10 THE ILIAD. I. 

Distress of mind : and in his shaggy breast 
His heart, to and fro, 'twixt two ways hesitated, 

190 Whether to draw forth from beside his thigh 

The sharp-edged sword and make the assembly rise, 
And he to kill Atreides ; — or to allay 
The bitter wrath and check his furious mood. 
While pondering was he thus in heart and soul, 
And 'gan to draw his mighty sword from sheath,— 
From heaven down came Athene all on sudden, 

195 Sent for the nonce by the white-armed goddess Here, 
Who loved and cared for both the chiefs alike. 
Behind him now she stood, appearing only 
To Him ; and of the others no one saw her ; 
And now by his yellow hair she seized Peleides : 
Whereat Achilles was amazed, and round 
Turned him about ; and straight knew Athene Pallas : 

200 For on him flashed in sight her aw T ful eyes : 
Anon he addressed her thus in winged words : 
" And why, daughter of iEgis-bearing Zeus, 
' Why art come hither ? Dost thou come to witness 
' Atreides Agamemnon's insolence ? 
' But tell thee will I plain, e'en as methinks 
' 'Tis also come to pass,— some time, yea soon, 

205 ' Soon shall he lose his life mayhap through this, 
' His haughty confidence/' Whereat the goddess 
Bright-eyed Athene answered him : " I'm come 
' From heaven to stop this rage of thine, if haply 
' Thou wilt but listen :— the white-armed goddess Here 
' Sent me forth hither ; for right heartily 
' She loves, and cares for, both of you alike. 

210 ( Then come ; give o'er from strife, and pluck not forth 
' Thy sword in hand so hastily :-- with words 



BOOK A. 11 

f Rate him indeed, e'en as 't may be, right soundly ; 

'For plain 1 tell thee and sure 't shall come to pass : 

1 There shall — for this his outrage — be some time 

4 Yea, thrice as many splendid gifts for thee ; 

4 But— bridle thou thyself, and listen to Us." 

Straight answered her Achilles the Swift-footed : 

" Sure it behoves me, wroth howe'er at heart, 

1 To heed the word, goddess, of you twain : 

1 For thus 'tis best : — Who puts his trust i' th' gods, 

1 To Him they readily listen."— He spake ; and stayed 

His heavy hand upon the silver hilt, 

And thrust back into sheath his mighty sword ; 

And no-wise disobeyed Athene's counsel ; 

Anon to Olympus hied she, into the courts 

Of iEgis-bearing Zeus, — to the other gods. 

Meanwhile afresh with baneful words Peleides 

Attacked the son of Atreus, and not yet 

Gave o'er from bitter wrath : " heavy with wine ! 

4 Thou that hast eyes of dog and heart of hind ! — 

1 Together with the host ne'er dost thou venture 

1 To arm thee to the fight, nor yet to go 

' In company with the princes of the Achaians 

€ For ambuscade ; for This to Thee seems death. 

4 Far better does it please thee, sure, to take 

' His gifts away, from whosoe'er has spoken 

4 A word, — throughout the vast Achaian host, — 

4 Against thy will I a people-grinding prince, — 

' For that thou reignest over worthless folk ! 

4 Sure else, Atreides, for thy last time Now 

1 Dealt hadst thou thus outrageously. Yet here 

' I'll tell thee plain, and furthermore I swear 

i A mighty oath, yea now by this my sceptre, 



12 THE ILIAD. I. 

235 * Which sure shall never put forth leaf or branch, 
' Since once 't has left the stump upon the hills, 
' Nor shall it sprout again ; # for all about it 
' Clean has the knife peeled off both leaves and bark : 
' And now such staff in hand do judges wield, 
' Sons of Achaians, — who maintain the laws 

* Received from Zeus : This then shall be the token 
240 ' Of my great oath to thee : some time, yea sure, 

* A longing for Achilles shall there come 
' Upon the Achaians' sons,— on all at once. 
' And thou shalt not be able, ever a whit, 
' Howe'er distressed, to help them, when in heaps 
' They fall and die 'neath slaughterous Hector's hands : 
' And gnaw shalt thou with rage thy heart within thee, 

245 ' For that no manner of honour to the bravest 

i Of the Argives hadst thou paid." — So spake Peleides; 
And hurled his golden-studded staff to the earth, 
And sat him down. On the other side meanwhile 
Atreides nursed his wrath : anon betwixt them 
Upsprang the Pylian chief, sweet-speaking Nestor, 
Clear, fair- voiced spokesman, from whose tongue forsooth 

250 His voice was wont to flow more sweet than honey .t 
Two generations had already passed 
Of language-gifted men within his time, 
Men who with him had erst been reared and born 
In sacred Pylos, and he now was ruling 
Over the third. Anon outspake he thus 
And said, with prudent thought and kind towards them : 

255 " strange I Now sure there comes a mighty sorrow 

* The Ruler's mace or rod was doubtless made of some choice, tough wood, well- 
seasoned ; and the idea of such a sceptre or rod sprouting again seems to have passed 
into a proverb to express a natural impossibility. — Compare Numbers, chap. xvii. 1-10. 

f See Proverbs xvi. 24. 



BOOK A. 13 

1 Upon the Achaian land ! Sure glad were Priam, 

' And sons of Priam, and mightily at heart 

1 Eejoice would all the Trojans, if indeed 

' They did but hear of you twain wrangling thus, — 

1 You that are both, in counsel and in fighting, 

' The best among the Danaans. Now howe'er 

1 Be ye persuaded ; younger are ye both 

1 Than I. For long ere now I've companied 

' With doughty men, yea doughtier e'en than you. 

' Yet ne'er of me did They forsooth make light. 

1 Such men IVe not yet seen, nor e'er shall see, 

1 As were Peirithoos, Caineus, and Exadios ; 

1 And Dryas, lord and pastor of his people ; 

1 And godlike Polyphemos ; and ^Egeides 

1 Theseus, in fashion like the Deathless ones. 

* Of all men reared on earth were they the strongest : 

' Strongest indeed they were, and with the strongest 

' They fought,— with Centaurs, mountaineer wild beasts, 

' And outright slfew them terribly. Yea from Pylos 

' Did I go forth from a far distant land, 

1 And companied with Them ; for they so urged me. 

' And fight did I to best of all my power : 

i But vie with Them in fighting might there none 

1 Of all such mortals as are now on Earth. 

i Yet sure they heard my counsels and were wont 

1 To yield to my advice. Then yield ye also ; 

( For so to yield is best. And take not Thou, 

' Brave howsoe'er, the damsel from this man ; 

1 But let her be, since unto him at first 

i The Achaians' sons have given her as his prize. 

' And thou, Peleides, think not to contend 

' Against our Chief : since honoured rank like his 



14 THE ILIAD. I. 

' Obtained has never a sceptre-bearing prince, 
' To whomso Zeus has ever granted glory : 

280 ' And bolder if thou be, — and a goddess-mother 
' Engendered thee, — yet this man is thy better, 
' For larger sway is His. And thou, Atreides, 
4 Give o'er thy wrath ; and I, I do entreat thee 
' To put aside thy rage against Achilles, 
' For he 's the great defence of all the Achaians 
1 'Gainst the sore brunt of battle." — Then answered him 

285 The Ruler, Agamemnon : " Sure all this 

4 Right fitly, Sir, thou hast said : but This man here 
' Thinks to o'ertop all others, — thinks forsooth 
4 To be the lord o'er all, and to rule all, 
4 And give commands to all : whereunto I mean 
i Not to give way. And though a spearman bold 

290 ' The aye-living gods have made him, — do they therefore 
4 Allow him thus to speak reproachfully?" 
Whereat then answered him the prince Achilles, 
By way of warning : i( Sure a worthless wretch 
4 May I be called and coward, if to Thee 
' Did I give way in any thing thou sayest ! 

295 ' Lay such commands on others ! not to Me, — 
1 Give not to me thine orders : for no longer 
' Mean I forsooth to obey thee. And yet else 
' I '11 tell thee this, and lay it thou in thy heart ; 
* With hands not fight will 7, about the girl, 
' Neither with Thee, nor yet with any else, — 
' Seeing how ye give me and take away again. 

300 ' But nought else shalt thou seize and carry off, 
1 Without my will, of all my chattels yonder 
' Down by my dark swift ship. Yet if so wouldst, — 
4 On then, and try ! that e'en all here may know : 



BOOK A. 15 

' Soon should thy dark blood spurt about rny spear ! " 

With wrangling words thus quarrel did they twain, 

And so they rose ; and straight broke up the assembly 

Hard by the Achaians' galleys. Unto his huts 

And gallant ships away then went Peleides 

With Menoitiades and all his comrades. 

Into the sea Atreides launched forthwith 

A nimble ship, and chose her twenty rowers, 

And put on board a hecatomb for the god : 

The comely-cheeked Chryseis then he brought 

And set her also on board : on board as captain 

Went ever-ready Odusseus. So they embarked 

And sailed o'er watery ways. Anon, Atreides 

Ordered the men to bathe and cleanse themselves ; 

Whereat they cleansed themselves; they bathed, and threw 

The cleansings to the sea : then to Apollo 

They sacrificed full hecatombs of bulls 

And goats upon the barren salt-sea shore : 

And all enwrapped in smoke to heaven went up 

The steamy smell. Thus busied in these matters 

Were they throughout the host : but Agamemnon 

Did not forego his rivalry and threat 

He once for all had held out 'gainst Achilles ; 

But presently he called and thus addressed 

Talthybios and Eurybates, two heralds, 

His ready pages : " Go ye to the hut 

6 Of Peleus' son Achilles ; and by the hand 

I Take ye and bring the comely-cheeked Briseis : 
' And if perchance he shall not give her up, 

I I '11 come myself with larger powers and take her ; 

' And That shall prove e'en yet more horrible for him/' 
So saying, he sent them forth, and added further 



16 THE ILIAD. I. 

A harsh command. Whereat they went, unwilling, 
Along the barren salt-sea shore, and came 
Unto the Myrmidons' camp-huts and ships : 
Him sitting there they found between his hut 
And dusky ship : but at the sight of them 

330 Not was Achilles glad forsooth : — the twain, 
With reverential fear and awe, now stood 
Before the Chief; but to him said they nought, 
Nor asked. In his own heart he knew howe'er, 
And thus outspake : " Ye heralds, — messengers 
6 Of Zeus, as also of men, all hail ! Draw near ! 
' In fault towards me never a whit are You, — 

335 c But Agamemnon ; who has hither sent you 
' To take my girl Briseis. Prince Patroclus, 
' Pry'thee fetch forth the girl, and give her them 
* To lead away : — and witnesses themselves 
' Let them both be — yea 'fore the blessed gods, 
' 'Fore death-doomed men, and 'fore their froward lord, — 
' If ever again henceforth shall need arise 

340 * Of Me forsooth to ward off ruin unseemly 

' From all the rest, I '11 then — ; for sure this man 
' Rages with wits undone, nor has he a whit 
' The wit to think at once on past and future, 
' How that beside his galleys may the Achaians 
i In safety fight unharmed." He spake ; whereat 
Patroclus gave compliance to his friend, 

345 And fetched the comely-cheeked Briseis forth 
From out the hut, and gave her them to take. 
Then back again along the Achaians' ships 
They twain departed ; and the woman with them, — 
She went — unwilling : whereupon Achilles 
In tears withdrew from all his friends and sat him 



BOOK A. 17 

Aloof, upon the gray sea's pebbly shore, 

And gazed the purple deep. Then stretching forth 

His hands he prayed thus earnestly to his mother : 

" Mother! sure since thou brought'st me forth to be 

1 But of a short, short life, — honour at least 

' Into my hands the Olympian lofty Thunderer 

4 Zeus ought to have put : but here now never a whit 

4 Has he vouchsafed me honour ; for of a surety 

' Has Atreus' son, the broad-realmed Agamemnon, 

4 Treated me with dishonour : he himself 

' Has wrested from me and seized, and is now holding, 

4 My gift of honour ! " — Thus in tears he spake : 

And him his lady mother readily heard, 

Sitting below within the depths of the sea 

Beside her ancient sire : in haste she arose, 

As 'twere a mist, from forth the hoary sea 

And sat her down, before him weeping yet; 

And with her hand caressed him, and outspake 

This word and said : " My son, why dost thou weep? 

' What sorrow is this has touched thy soul ? Speak out ; 

' Conceal it not in heart : let us both know." 

Then answered her Achilles the Swift-footed, 

'Mid heavy sobs : " Thou know'st : — why should I tell 

4 These matters, why, to Thee who know'st them all ? 

' Against Eetion's Town of sacred Thebe 

' We went, — we sacked it, and we brought the spoil 

4 All hither : this the Achaians' sons divided 

' Fairly amongst them, and for Atreus' son 

' Oat chose they a damsel, comely-cheeked Chryseis : 

4 But Chryses, priest of Phoebus the Far-shooting, 

'Hied to the brass-clad Argives' nimble ships, 

1 Fain to redeem his daughter; and he brought 

2 



18 



THE ILIAD. 1. 



375 



380 



385 



390 



A countless ransom, and in hand he bare 

The chaplet— of Apollo the Far-shooting — 

Aloft on golden sceptre; and entreated 

The Achaians all, but most the two Atreides, 

Chief Marshallers of the host. Whereat indeed 

All the other Argives shouted their assent, 

Both to revere the priest, and to accept 

The splendid ransom : this howe'er pleased not 

Atreides Agamemnon's heart ; who harshly 

Sent him away and laid rough words upon him. 

Then back again in wrath he went, the old man ; 

And when he prayed, Apollo readily heard him, 

So well-beloved was he of the god ; who sent 

A hurtful bolt against the Achaian host : 

Whereat the "men, they soon began to die, 

One after other : and the god's keen shafts 

Did visit still throughout the length and breadth 

Of all the Achaians' host : — then in assembly 

Our well-skilled prophet told us oracles 

Of the Far-shooter. Foremost I straight urged 

At once to appease the god : then bitter wrath 

Gat hold upon Atreides ; and he arose 

And soon held out a threat, which now has come 

Fully to pass. For now with nimble ship 

The glancing-eyed Achaians are escorting 

Her unto Ohryse, and are carrying gifts 

For the Archer-king : from My camp-hut meanwhile 

But scarcely gone are heralds leading off 

Her w T hom the Achaians' sons had given to me, — 

The daughter of Brises. But,— if so thou canst, 

Aid Thou thine own brave son. Go up to Olympus, 

And beg of Zeus,— if ever in any way 



BOOK A. 19 

395 ' Whether by word, or whether too by deed 

1 Thou hast cheered the heart of Zeus. For many a time 

1 Within my father's halls, I Ve heard thee boasting, 

1 And how thou saidst thou alone among the Deathless 

1 Didst from the cloud-wrapt Chronides ward off 

1 Unseemly mischief, when the other Olympians, 

1 Here, Poseidon, and Athene Pallas, 

1 Would fain have bound him hand and foot together : 

' But thou didst come, goddess, and by stealth 

' Freed'st him from bonds ; for quick to lofty Olympus 

1 Him of the Hundred Hands thou calledst up, 

' W T hom gods call Briareus,* but whom mankind 

1 All name iEgseon : for in strength more able 

1 Than his own sire was He. And be forsooth, 

i Rejoicing in his glory, sat him down 

1 Beside Chronion. Yea the blessed gods 

' Were in some fear of Him, — and did not bind ! 

1 Thereof remind him now, and sit before him 

' And clasp his knees, — and haply he 11 be willing 

1 At once to aid the Trojans, and with slaughter, 

' Down to their very ship-sterns and the sea 

' To roll the Achaians back, that all may have 

1 Joy of their Chieftain ; and that also Atreides 

' Wide-ruling Agamemnon thus may feel 

' His own blind foolishness in having treated 

' The Achaians' bravest with no manner of honour." 

W T hereat then Thetis, weeping, answered him : — 

" Ah me ! my son, why did I bring thee forth 

' And terribly rear thee ? that by thy ships 

' Unharmed and tear-less didst thou sit in quiet, — 

i For that thy lot is for short time indeed, 

* That is, the Mighty one. 



SO THE ILIAD. I. 

' No, never a whit long-lifed f but now both doomed 
' To an early death art thou, and at once woeful 
' Yea beyond all : birth then with sorry luck 
' I gave thee in our halls. 1 11 go howe'er 

420 ' Myself to snowy Olympus, and this tale 
' Of thine 1 11 tell to thunder-loving Zeus, 
' And haply he 11 comply. But thou meanwhile, 
' Sit quiet beside thy quick-going ships, and nurse 
6 Thy wrath against the Aehaians, and aloof 
' Quit fighting altogether. Yesterday, 
' To banquet with the blameless ^Ethiopians 

425 ' Went Zeus away to the Ocean : and together 

' With him went all the gods. But unto Olympus 
' On the twelfth day he 11 sure come back again ; 
' Then to the brass-floored palace of high Zeus 
' 1 11 go forthwith for thee, and clasp his knees ; 
'"And to comply methinks hell be persuaded. " # 
So saying she sped away : and left him there 

430 Angered at heart about the fair- zoned woman, 

Whom 'gainst his will perforce they wrested from him. 
Odusseus, with the sacred hecatomb, 
Arrived meanwhile at Chryse, There the crew, 
Soon as they had come within the deep-bayed harbour^ 
Sail took they in and stowed i th ? dusky ship : 
With forestays then they quickly lowered the mast, 

435 And laid it to the mast-hold ; and with oars 
Forward they rowed her into a mooring-place, 
Cast out her anchors and made fast her halsers ; 
Then on the sea-shore stepped they out and landed 
The hecatomb for Apollo, the Far-shooting. 

* So too in the Bible, 1 Kings xviii. 26, we see how the heathen supposed that 
such things as journeying, etc., might happen to prevent the gods hearing their 
prayers. 



BOOK A. 21 

From out the sea-borne galley also stepped 
Chryseis ; whom Odusseus ever-ready 

440 Led straight to the altar, and delivered her 

Into her father's hands, and thus addressed him : 

44 Chryses, — both to bring to thee thy daughter 

4 Has Agamemnon, Chief of Chiefs, dispatched me, 

4 And to perform a sacred hecatomb 

1 To Phoebus for the Danaans, wherewithal 

4 Thy master may we appease ; for even now 

445 ' Launched has he mournful troubles on the Achaians. 5 
So saying, he put her into his hands : whereat 
Joyful he took his daughter dear : then quick 
The noble hecatomb for the god they ranged 
In order round about the fair-built altar. 
Their hands then washed they, and sacred barley-cakes 
For sprinkling raised they aloft. And thus aloud 

450 Chryses began to pray, with hands uplifted : 

" hear me, thou of the Silver Bow, who guardest 

1 Chryse and sacred Cill-e ; and who rulest 

1 O'er Tenedos with mighty sway ! Already 

4 Aforetime hast thou heard me when I praj^ed : — 

1 Me hast thou honoured, and hast pressed full hard 

* The Achaians' host ; and grant me now even still 

455 ' This my desire, — Now, yea at once, ward off 
. Mischief unseemly from the Danaan hosti" 
So spake he in prayer : and with a gracious ear 
Phoebus Apollo heard him. When they had prayed 
And tossed the sacred barley-cakes before them, — 
First drew they back the victims' heads, and butchered. 
And flayed ; then straight cut out the hams and wrapt them 

460 In the fat caul, with double fold of lard, 

And piled thereon raw pieces. Then the old man 



22 THE ILIAD. I. 

Burnt them upon the billets, and thereover 
Poured sparkling* wine, and youths beside him stood 
With five-pronged forks in hand. Now when the ham-bones 
Were quite burnt down, and the inwards had they tasted, — 

465 They cut up all the rest forthwith and spitted, 
And broiled right skilfully, and drew -all off. 
Soon as they had left off toil, and dressed the feast, — 
They feasted ; and the soul felt never a want 
Of a brave feast. And when for meat and drink 
They had put away desire, the youths crowned high 
The mixing-bowls with drink, and handed round, 

470 Beginning with libation of the firstlings, 
With cups to all in turn. So all day long 
Did they, the Achaian lads, with song and dance, 
Appease the god, and sang a comely hymn, 
Singing the praise of Phoebus, the Far-shooting ; 
And He gave ear, and in his heart rejoiced. 

475 Soon as the sun went down, and night came on,— 
By the stern-cables of their ship, to sleep 
They laid them down. But when rose-fingered Eos, 
Child of the Dawn, appeared, then off they put 
And sailed in quest of the Argives' broad-spread host : 
And a fair wind Apollo, the Far-worker, 
Sent favouring them behind : they raised the mast, 

480 And the white sails they unfurled, whereat the wind 
Swelled up the sail in midst ; and the dark wave, 
As onward went the ship, shouted again 
Mightily round her bows : and on she ran 
Cleaving her ways along the billowy swell. 
Now when they reached the Achaians' wide-spread host, 

485 The dusky galley straight they hauled on shore, 

High on the sands, and ranged long stays beneath her ; 



book A. 23 

Then 'mongst the ships and camp-huts they dispersed. 

But He, meanwhile, the high-born son of Peleus, 

Achilles the Swift-footed, sitting idly 

Beside his quick-going galleys, nursed his wrath ; 

Nor ever to the man-ennobling session 

Now was he wont to come, nor to the fight : 

But there he stayed, and let his dear heart pine ; 

For fain he longed for war-shout and the battle. 

When came howe'er the morn, twelfth from the time, 

Then to Olympus the everliving gods 

Together all returned, and Zeus their leader : 

And not forgetful of her son's behests 

Was Thetis, but arose from wave of sea, 

And with the morning mounted the great heaven, 

And lofty Olympus. Sitting there apart 

From the others, found she far-seeing Chronides 

On topmost peak of many-ridged Olympus. 

Anon before him down she sat herself, 

And with her left hand seized him by his knees, 

While with the right she held him 'neath his chin, 

And thus with suppliant prayer she addressed the lord, 

Zeus Chronides : " Zeus father ! if now ever 

' Thee have I cheered, either by word or deed, 

1 Among the Deathless, grant me this my prayer : 

1 Honour me now my son, — who beyond all 

1 Is doomed to an early death ; but Agamemnon, 

' Chieftain of chiefs, has treated him yea now 

' With sore dishonour : for he has wrested from him 

' And seized and holds himself His gift of honour. 

' But thou, Olympian ! lord of Counsel, Zeus ! 

' honour him ! and give the upper hand 

( Unto the Trojan side, — until the Achaians 



24 THE ILIAD. I. 

' Honour my son, and raise him high in esteem. " 
She said : but unto Her cloud-gatherer Zeus 
Spake never a word, but sat long time in silence : 
Thetis howe'er,— since hold had she of his knees, 
So hung she clinging on him, and besought him 
Again a second time : " Now promise me 

515 ' Yea sure, and nod assent, — or at once deny me, 
i Seeing no fear hast Thou ;— that I may see 
' Right plain, how much the most unhonoured goddess 
' Am I amongst them all." — To her then spake 
Cloud-gatherer Zeus, full heavy-laden in spirit : 
" Mischievous work now sure, — since thou shalt set me 
* To stir up Here's hatred, w 7 hen with w T ords — 

520 ' Yea, of reproach— she chafes me. And forsooth, 
' E'en as it is, — she is always rating me 
' Before the Deathless gods, and says I help 
' The Trojans in the fight : but thou, I pr'ythee, 
1 Begone again at once, lest Here note thee : 
' And for these matters I'll take care, to achieve them. 
' But come, the tokening nod of head I'll give thee, 

525 ' Wherein thou may'st have trust. For this from Me 
i Amongst the Deathless is the mightiest sign : 
' For yea, My word is not recallable, — 
' Nor guileful, — nor of achievement void forsooth, 
' Whene'er I give my assenting nod of head." 
He spake : and with his dark brows Chronides 
Nodded in token of assent : w T hereat 

530 The flowing locks ambrosial of the Master 

Waved from his deathless head ; and vasty Olympus 
He made to tremble. Thus then planned they twain, 
And parted company : — down from bright Olympus 
Into the deep sea sprang she back again, 



book A. 25 

And Zeus returned to his court. And all the gods 
Rose up together from their seats, to face 
Their Sire's approach ; and no one ventured sitting 
To await his corning, but All Stood before him. 
So there he sat him down upon his throne : 
But not was Here ignorant about him, 
For spied had she, how silver-footed Thetis, 
The daughter of the Ancient of the Sea, 
With Him took counsel : so forthwith she addressed 
Zeus Ohronides with taunts : — " And who of the gods 
Again, wily-minded ! who ? — with Thee 
Has now been taking counsel ? Unto Thee 
'Tis always pleasant, when apart from Me, 
All close to take thy counsels and to ordain : 
And never a word to Me hast thou the grace 
With ready heart to tell of that thou meanest." 
Then answered her the Sire of men and gods : 
1 Here ! now pr'y thee have no hopes of knowing 
All of my counsels ;— wife albeit thou art, 
Hard shall they be for thee : but whatso counsel 
'Twere fit for thee to hear,-— then That forsooth 
None shall know sooner, whether of gods or men. 
But about what, aloof from other gods, 
List I to think, — ask thou, no, never a whit 
Any such matters, neither be thou prying." 
Then answered him the large-eyed lady Here : 
1 Terriblest Ohronides ! what manner of word 
Is this thou saidst ? Sure heretofore at least 
Thee have I neither questioned, nor am I prying : 
But all at ease and quiet thou tak'st what counsel 
Soe'er thou listest. Yet, now in my heart 
I terribly fear lest silver-footed Thetis, 



26 



THE ILIAD. 



1 The daughter of the Ancient of the Sea, 

6 Has been enticing thee : for close to Thee, 

1 Yea sure, she sat herself this morn, and took 

' Hold of thy knees. To whom, I fear, thou hast given 

' True token of assent, that thou wilt honour 

1 Achilles, and wilt slaughter many a one 

560 * Of the Argiyes at their ships." Then answered her 
Cloud-gatherer Zeus and said : — " Good lady ! ever 
' Suspecting art thou ; and I never escape 
' Thy notice ! Yet withal to avail thereby 
' Nothing shalt thou be able ; but shalt be 
' But further from my heart : and That forsooth 
1 Shall be for thee yet horribler. And if, — 
1 If thus the matter stands, mayhap 'tis likely 

565 ' So to please Me. But sit thee down in silence, 
' And yield obedience to my word; or sure, 
' Not all the gods that are upon Olympus 
' Shall be of avail to thee to keep me off 
' From coming rather close, when haply I lay 
' Mine unmatched hands upon thee." Spake he thus : 
Then was the large-eyed lady Here afeared ; 

570 And her dear heart she bowed to his mood, and down 
Silent she sat her. Heavy at heart, howe'er 
Throughout Jove's palace were the heavenly gods. 
Anon began Hephaistos, the famed artist, — 
Doing kind service unto his dear-loved mother 
The white-armed Here, — thus to speak before them : 
" Mischievous doings here will be, now sure, 
1 And bearable no longer, If you Twain 

575 ' Quarrel in this way for the sake of mortals, 
' And keep on brawling thus among the gods : 
4 And no delight can be in the gallant feast 



book A. 27 

1 When such ill counsels gain the upper hand. 

' But to my mother give will / this inkling, 

1 Aware howe'er she be, — to behave buxom 

1 Unto dear father Zeus, that not again 

1 My sire chide thus, and mar for us all our banquet. 

i For sure now did the Olympian Lightner choose 

g To thrust us roughly from our seats, — He can ; 

1 For He 's by far the strongest. But do Thou 

1 Coax Him with gentle words : then will the Olympian 

1 Forthwith to us be gracious. " Spake he thus ; 

And starting up he placed a twin-cupped # goblet 

In his dear mother's hands, and thus addressed her : 

" Be patient, mother mine, and curb thyself, 

I However vexed : lest thee, all dear as thou art, 

I I come to see, yea, flogged before mine eyes : 
1 And then I 'm quite unable, grieved howe'er, 

' To help thee a whit : for hard is the Olympian 

1 To stand against. Once on a time already 

1 Me, fain to help thee, — up by foot he swung, 

' And from his awful threshold hurled me away ; 

6 And falling was I all day long, and pitched, 

' At sunset, down in Lemnos ; and within me 

' But little breath remained : there when I had fallen, 

' The Sintian folk soon took me kindly home/' 

He spake : then smiled the goddess, white-armed Here ; 

And smiling took she graciously the cup 

At her son's hand. Anon for the other gods 

He drew sweet nectar from the mixing-bowl^ 

And round to all from left to right he filled. 

And straightway laughter inextinguishable 

Rose 'mongst the happy gods, at seeing Hephaistos 

* With cup upwards and with cup downwards* 



28 THE ILIAD. I. 

600 Bustling all out of breath about the halls. 
So then the whole day forth till setting sun 
They feasted ; and the soul had never a lack 
Of a brave feast,— nor of the harp right beauteous,. 
The which Apollo held, — nor of the Muses, 
Who sang, in answering turns, with comely voice. 
Now when the brilliant light of Sun was down, 

605 Homeward for bed all went their several ways, 
Where of his cunning wits a several house 
Halt-foot Hephaistos, far-renowned, had builded 
E'en for them each. Zeus too, the Olympian Lightner^ 
To his own bed repaired, where 'twas his wont 
Aforetime to lie down, whene'er sweet slumber 
Might come upon him :— thereupon he climbed 

610 And down he lay for sleep :— and thither hied 
The gold-enthroned Here, close beside* 



book B. 29 



ARGUMENT OF THE SECOND BOOK. B. 

Zeus sends Agamemnon a delusive Dream urging him to make an attack 
on Ilion. He relates his dream in the Council of Chiefs : a general 
assembly of the host is then held, in which Agamemnon tries the mood of 
the soldiers : they are all for going home. Odusseus checks them ; and 
they are re-assembled. Thersites rails at Agamemnon : Odusseus chas- 
tises him ; and soothes the mood of the soldiers. Nestor kindly reproves 
them. Agamemnon then dismisses the host to breakfast. Sacrifice is 
offered to the gods. The host is drawn out in array. The Poet invokes 
the Muses to give the tale of all the allied Achaian forces. This is done. 
Zeus sends Iris to the Trojans with tidings of the approaching attack. 
The Trojan forces are then mustered outside the Town, and the tale of 
them is also given. 

BETA : the Dream ; trial of the Argive host ; 
The muster of men ; the catalogue of ships. 



The whole night through then sleeping were the others, 

Both gods and charioteering men of war : 

Sound sleep howe'er did not hold Zeus : but He, 

Pondering at heart was He, how should he honour 

The prince Achilles, and achieve the slaughter 

Of many Achaians at their ships. At length 

Unto his mind the choicest plan seemed This, — 

To send the troublous god of Dreams, Oneiros, 

To Atreides Agamemnon : wherefore Him 

He thus addressed, and spake in winged words : 

" Quick to the Achaians' nimble ships, Oneiros, 

1 Go, hie thee forth, to Atreides Agamemnon : 



30 THE ILIAD. II. 

1 Into his camp-hut go, and tell him all 

10 ' Right sure e'en as I charge thee : bid him arm 

' His long-haired Argives with all the speed he may : 

' For now the Trojans' broad-way ed Town may he take; 

' No longer with divisions in their counsels 

' Now are the Deathless Dwellers on Olympus : 

' For begged has Here and bent them all to her will ; 

15 ' And sure distress hangs ready o'er the Trojans." 
He spake : and straight, on hearing this command, 
Forth went the Dream-god : and with tearing speed 
Came to the Achaians' nimble ships ; and hied 
To Atreides Agamemnon : him he found 
Asleep within his camp-hut, and upon him 
Poured was ambrosial slumber. O'er his head 

20 Forthwith he stood, like to the son of Neleus, 
Nestor, whom Agamemnon used to honour 
Most chiefly of all the elders. In such likeness 
The marvellous Dream-god thus accosted him : 
" Dost sleep, — Son of the brave-souled horseman Atreus ? 
' A chieftain counsellor befits it not 
'To sleep the whole night long, — the prince to whom 

25 ' The men are all entrusted, and on whom 

' There rest such weighty cares. But now to me 

' Give ready heed ; for I 'm a messenger 

c To thee from Zeus, who, howsoe'er far off, 

' Is much concerned for thee, and has great pity. 

1 He bids thee arm at once the long-haired Argives 

' With all dispatch : for Now the broad -wayed Town 

30 ' Of Trojans mayst thou take : since now no longer 
1 Divided in their counsels are the Deathless 
' Who occupy the Olympian courts : for Here 
1 Has begged and bowed them all to her will : and troubles, 



BOOK B. 31 

' Sent forth from Zeus, hang ready o'er the Trojans. 

1 But bear thou this in mind, and suffer not 

1 Forgetfulness to take thee, whensoe'er 

' Honey-sweet Sleep releases thee/' So saying, 

Away he went ; and left the king there pondering 

In heart such matters, as were Not forsooth 

Destined to be accomplished. For he thought, — 

The Simpleton, —to win Priam's Town That day : 

Nor wist he what great matters Jove was plotting. 

For both on Trojans and on Danaans yet 

Was he about to bring both sighs and sorrows 

Through mighty battles. Now he awoke from sleep ; 

Yet still poured round him was the Voice divine : 

Upright anon he sat ; and donned his coat, 

Goodly and soft, new-made ; and flung around him 

His ample cloak ; and bound his comely sandals 

Beneath his bright, smooth feet ; and thwart his shoulders 

With belt he girt a silver-studded sword : 

His sceptre then, — the sceptre erst his father's, — 

Imperishable ever, in hand he grasped, 

And therewithal down went he among the ships 

Of brazen-mailed Achaians. Now bright Eos, 

Goddess of Morn, stepped up the lofty Olympus 

To announce to Zeus and all the Deathless ones 

The light of Day : the king meanwhile commanded 

The clear-voiced heralds forth and straightway summon 

The host of long-haired Argives unto assembly : 

Forthwith they summoned, and the folk were gathered 

Eight quickly. First howe'er he called a session 

Of chieftains, high-souled Elders, for a council 

Near Nestor's ship, — the chieftain sprung from Pylos. 

These called he himself together, and prepared 



32 THE ILIAD. II. 

His wary counsel : " Hearken, my friends ; — 
A dream divine there came to me in my sleep 
During the ambrosial night : and like most nearly 
'T was to prince Nestor, all in bodily form 
And height and goodly fashion. O'er my head 
It came and stood, and spake to me this word : 
60 " Dost sleep, — Son of the braye-souled horseman Atreus? 
' A chieftain counsellor befits it not 
1 To sleep the whole night long, — the prince to whom 
1 The men are all entrusted, and on whom 
1 There rest such weighty cares. But now to me 
1 Give ready heed ; for I'm a messenger 
' To thee from Zeus, — who, howsoe'er far off, 
65 " Is much concerned for thee, and has great pity. 
' He bids thee arm at once the long-haired Argives 
1 With all dispatch ; for Now the broad-way ed Town 
' Of Trojans may'st thou take : since now no longer 
f Divided in their counsels are the Deathless 
e Who occupy the Olympian courts ; for Here 
i Has begged and bent them all to her will : and troubles, 
70 " Sent forth from Zeus, hang ready o'er the Trojans : 
' Then bear thou this in mind." — So saying, it went 
Flitting away : and me sweet Slumber left. 
Then come ye at once, and arm we as we may 
The Achaians' sons : yet put them first to proof 
Would / with speech, e'en as 'tis fit I should ; 
And with their ships of many thwarts I '11 bid them 
75 i Betake them home : but You, — one here, one there, — 
Be sure by words restrain them." Spake he thus, 
And straightway sat him down : anon before them 
Bose Nestor, who was king of sandy Pylos : 
Thus then with sage and kindly thought he addressed them, 



BOOK B. 3tf 

And said : " friends,— ye guardian counsellors 

' And chiefs of the Argives,— sure if any other 

1 Of all the Achaians told us of this Dream, 

1 We fain should think 't a lie, and rather turn us 

1 Away therefrom : but seen it now has He, 

1 Who claims to be of noblest rank by far 

i In all the host. Then come ye, and as we may 

1 Arm we the Achaians' sons." So saying, forthwith 

Foremost he went his way from out the Council. 

85 Then rose they too, — the sceptre-wielding princes, 
And gave compliance to the peoples' pastor : 
The hosts meanwhile were hurrying all towards them. 
E'en as go swarms of busy honeybees 
In throngs, yet coming still anew for ever 
From forth a hollow rock, # — and fly and settle 
Clustering on flowers in spring-tide, and on wing 

90 Some hover frequent here, and others there ; — 
So from the ships and camp-huts troop by troop 
Fronting the high sea-shore the many tribes 
Of These marched all in ranks, unto the assembly : 
And 'mongst them Rumour, messenger of Zeus, 
Ran as 'twere wild-fire, urging them to go. 
And so they were assembled : and the assembly 

9-5 Was all in uproar, and the earth beneath them 
Did groan again, at sitting down of soldiers, 
And din there was : then cried aloud nine heralds 
To check them, if but e'er they would refrain 
From shout, and listen to the Jove-loved princes. 
At length with much ado the hosts were seated, 
And ceased their clatter, and were kept in order 

100 Upon their seats : — Then rose king Agamemnon, 

* See Deut. xxxii. 13, and Ps. lxxxi. 16. 

3 



34 THE ILIAD. II. 



Sceptre in hand ; the which had erst Hephaistos 
Toiled at and wrought : to his lord, Zens Chronides, 
Hephaistos gave it ; and again, Zeus gave it 
To Hermes, the Conductor, Slayer of Argus ; 
And Master Hermes gave it unto Pel ops, 
Driver of horses [ he too again, prince Pelops, 

105 Gave it to Atreus, pastor of his people ; 

Then Atreus, dying, bequeathed it to Thyestes, 
Wealthy in flocks ; and he again, Thyestes, 
Left it to Agamemnon for his wielding, 
For him to rule o'er multitude of the isles, 
And o'er all Argos: — He, hereon now leaning, 
Outspake these winged words and said : — " friends, 

110 i Ye Danaan chieftains, ministers of Ares ! 
' Zeus Chronides has mightily hampered me 
1 In sore bewilderment ; Cruel,— for erewhile 
' He promised me, and gave the assenting nod, 
' That I should sack the fair-walled Town of Ilion 
' And then sail home : but Now devised has He 
' An evil trick, and to Argos bids me back 

115 ' Inglorious, and with loss of many men. 

1 E'en so, I ween, 't is like to please the high 
1 And mighty Zeus, who many a time ere now 
6 Has put down towering citadels,— and Will 
' E'en yet demolish ; for His power is mightiest. 
' Oh ! a disgrace is This indeed to hear of, 
' For ages e'en hereafter, — that a host, 

120 ' Such and so vast, of Argives here in vain 
i Is waging thus a bootless war, and fighting 
' 'Gainst fewer men ; and none achievement yet 
' Has come to light. For sure if both we Achaians 
' And Trojans too so willed, with solemn truce 



book B. 35 

And sacrifices, — to be numbered, both ; — 
To count indeed the Trojans, all who dwell 
At fire-sides of their own ; and we, the Achaians, 
Be drawn up all in companies of ten, 
And take each several man of all the Trojans 
To pour us wine, — sure many a ten would be 
Without a butler. Yea, so many more 
Are the Achaians' sons, I think, than Trojans 
Who dwell in all the City. But allies 
From many a Town they have, spear -wielding men, 
Who sorely baffle and permit me not, 
Fain though I be, to sack the fair-built Town 
Of Ilion. Thrice three circling years already 
Of mighty Zeus are gone, and our ships' timbers 
Are grown already rotten, and cordage weakened ; 
While yonder sitting are our wives at home, 
And infant babes, expecting us : but here, 
Still as we were, our task is unfulfilled 
For sake whereof we came : then come ye now, 
Comply we all forthwith, as / shall say : — 
Hie we with ship to our dear fatherland ; 
For never shall we take Troy's broad-wayed Town." 
He spake ; and moved the soul within their breasts, 
Throughout the throng, e'en all that had not heard him 
At Council : and astir became the assembly, 
Like great long waves of sea, the Icarian deep, 
When stirred them up has Euros from South-east 
And South-west Notos, hurrying from the clouds 
Of father Zeus. And as when Western Zephyr 
Shall come, on-rushing furious, and set moving 
A tall up-standing crop, and bends it down, 
Ears following ears ; — e'en so the whole assembly 



36 THE ILIAD. II. 

Of These was set astir ; and they, with shouting, 
150 'Gan hurry to the ships : and dust rose up, 

Eaised -from beneath their feet : and one bade other,— 
" Lay hold of ships," " Haul to the vasty deep ;" 
Channels out-cleared they too : and unto heaven 
Up went the shout— of them all fain for home, 
And from beneath the ships they drew the stays. 
155 Then beyond Destiny had home-return 

Been brought about for the Argives,— had not Here 
Addressed Athene thus and said : " Shame I 
6 Shall now,— daughter of iEgis-bearing Zeus, 
' Unwearied One ! — shall now the Argives flee 
i Over the sea's broad backs, thus away home 
' To their dear fatherland ? and leave behind them 
160 ' The Argive Helen for a boast for Priam 

i And for the Trojans,— Her, for sake of whom 
6 On Trojan soil have many Achaians perished 
' Afar from their dear fatherland ? But now, 
' Hie to the brazen-mailed Achaians' host, 
1 And with Thy cheerful words keep each man back, 
165 ' Nor let them haul their rolling ships to sea." 

She spake : whereat Athene, bright-eyed goddess, 
Disobeyed not ; but from Olympus' tops 
Went darting down, and came with tearing speed 
Unto the Achaians' nimble ships ; and found 
Odusseus,— match to Zeus in weight of wisdom, 
170 Standing stock-still : and not laying hold was He 
Upon his dusky trim-built ship, since grief 
Was come upon him, unto his heart and soul. 
Bright-eyed Athene now drew near, and thus 
Addressed him : " Jove-sprung Laertiades, 
' Odusseus ever-ready ! and will ye now 



book B. 37 

1 Fling yourselves thus on board your many-oared ships 

' And hurry home, to your dear fatherland ? 

' And the Argive Helen for a boast for Priam, 

1 And for the Trojans, would ye leave behind ye, 

1 Her, — for the sake of whom has many a man 

* Of Argives perished here on Trojan soil, 

' Afar from their dear fatherland ? But now, 

1 Hie to the Achaian host, and be not backward ; 

1 And with thy cheering words restrain each man, 

1 Nor let them haul their rolling ships to sea." 

She said : and to the goddess' voice he hearkened, 

As thus she spake ; and off he started running, 

And doffed his mantle ; which Eurybates, # 

Of Ithaca, the page who used to attend him, 

Picked up and took in charge. Anon he met 

Atreides Agamemnon, and received 

From Hirn His sceptre, all imperishable, 

The staff hereditary : straight herewith, 

Down to the brazen-mailed Achaians' ships, 

He went. Now any chief, or man of mark, 

With whom he chanced, he accosted him, and thus 

With cheery words restrained him : " good Sir ! 

' To think of scaring Thee, as wert thou a coward, 

' Is not befitting ; but now, sit thee down 

4 Thyself in quiet, and keep the men all quiet. 

' For not yet for a surety dost thou know 

' What manner of mood this was of king Atreides : 

' Proof is he making now, — and soon he '11 press 

1 Hard on the Achaians' sons. For what in Council 

' He may have said— not all of us have heard. 

1 See then, — lest wroth — he put some evil treatment 

* See Odyssey, xix. 247. 



38 THE ILIAD. II. 

' Upon the Achaians' sons. For of a KING, 

■ Nurtured of Zeus, — the wrath indeed is mighty : 

• Of Jove is held his rank ; and Him does Jove, 
i The lord of wisdom, love." Then wheresoe'er 
He spied a man of common rank, and found him 
Bawling aloud, him did he strike with sceptre, 

200 And chid him likewise with a word : " Good Sir ! 
' Sit still and quiet, and hear the word of others 
' That are thy betters : all unfit for war 
' Art Thou, and strengthless, and not ever taken 

* Into account whether in fight, or council : 

1 We Achaians here shall no wise All indeed 
1 Be kings : the rule of Many is not good : 

205 ' Let One be ruler,— One be king, — to whom 
' The son of wily Chronos has awarded 
i Both sceptre and its rights, that therewithal 
' He may be king." Thus with command brought He 
The host all under order : and to assembly 
From ships and camp-huts hasted they again, 
With noise ; as when roars loud upon the beach 

210 The billow of the boisterous sea, and the Deep 
Crashes again. So now all sat them down, 
And orderly were kept upon their seats : 
Save that alone yet blaring was Thersites, 
Of talk unmeasured, who had learnt forsooth 
Of his own wits full many a word unseemly, — 
Idly, and not becomingly, to wrangle 

215 Against the princes,— just whatever matter 

To Him seemed like to raise the Argives' laughter : 
And the ugliest man he was that came to Ilion : 
Wry -legged he was, and hobbling on one foot ; 
And humped were both his shoulders, bent together 



book B. 39 

Forward upon hi3 chest ; while peaked he was 

A-top of his head, where grew thin hair rubbed scanty. 

Most hateful was he, — chiefliest unto Achilles 

And to Odusseus ; for at Them most chiefly 

Used he to rail. Now clacking was he again, 

And told out sharp reproaches 'gainst the king, 

Prince Agamemnon ; wherefore terrible grudge 

The Achaians bore him and were hearty indignant. 

He howe'er, bawling out aloud, thus railed 

At Agamemnon : — " And on what ground now 

' Art thou, Atreides, finding fault again ? 

1 Or what dost want ? Thy huts are full of brass ; 

1 And in thy camp-huts women hast thou, plenty, 

1 The choice ones, we Achaians give to Thee, 

1 Yea foremost, whensoe'er we take a Town. 

1 Dost lack e'en yet more gold, which forth from Ilion 

1 Some of the filly-taming Trojans yonder 

1 May bring thee, for the ransom of a son, 

4 Whom / perchance, or some one else of Argives, 

1 Am carrying off in bonds ? Or a young wench 

i Yet lackest thou for intercourse of love, 

' Whom thou wouldst keep apart unto thyself? 

1 It sure befits thee not, — not the Commander, 

1 To cause the Achaians' sons to tread in troubles. — 

1 Weaklings ! base bye-words ! Achaian women ! 

1 Achaian men no longer ! Home with our ships 

1 Hie we away ! and this man leave we here 

g To enjoy his gifts of honour, — and to learn 

' Whether any aid, or whether none forsooth, 

' Are We to Him, — who here even now has treated 

' A man by far His better,— e'en Achilles, 

1 With this dishonour ; and whose prize he has seized 



40 THE ILIAD. II. 

' And wrested from him, and now holds himself. — 
' Yet sure Achilles has no bile in his breast, 
' But careless is he ; else for Last time now 
' Hadst thou, Atreides, dealt outrageously." 
So spake Thersites, flouting Agamemnon, 
245 The peoples' pastor : swift then prince Odusseus 
Before him stood, and eyeing him askant 
Chid iiim with this rough word : " reckless babbler, 
1 Thersites, clear-voiced speaker though thou art, — 
Be still ! and think not thou alone to vie 
1 With chieftain princes ; for more base than Thou 
There is none other mortal here, I think, 
250 ' Of all have come with Atreus' sons to Ilion. 
Talk therefore not with princes in thy mouth, 
Utt'ring reproaches on them, and meanwhile 
Watching for home-return. Nor know we yet 
Aught of a surety how these things may end ; 
Whether in good or evil plight shall we — 
Sons of Achaians— - come safe home again. 
255 - So then ! thou sitt'st reproaching here Atreides, 
' The pastor of the people, Agamemnon, — 
Because forsooth the Danaan chiefs have given him 
Full many a gift : and jeer dost Thou and prate. 
But This I'll tell thee plain, and sure't shall come 
Fully to pass ; — if e'er I catch thee again 
Fooling as now in such sort, — may no longer 
260 ' Odusseus' head remain upon my shoulders, 
Neither may I thereafter e'er be called 
' The father of Telemachus, — but I, 
I'll take thee in hand, and strip off thy dear clothes, 
Both cloak and coat and all that wraps thy loins, 
And with unseemly stripes I '11 flog thee forth 






BOOK B. 41 



1 From out the assembly and send thee yelping off, 
265 ' Down to the nimble ships." So saying, he thwacked him 
Athwart his back and shoulders with the sceptre : — 
Bent back, he writhed again : and the big tear 
Fell from his eyes : and from his back upstarted 
A bloody weal, from stroke of golden sceptre. 
Straight then he sat him down, and was afeared : 
And all in pain, — casting a helpless look, — 
270 He wiped away his tears. Whereat his comrades, 
Although distressed, at him laughed jollily. 
Anon spake some one eyeing his nearest mate : — 
" Rare ! now sure ten thousand gallant things 
' Has prince Odusseus done, — the foremost ever 
1 For right good plans, and marshalling the battle : 
' But 'mongst the Achaians far the best thing Now 
275 ' He has ever done is This, — in putting stop 
1 To this foul chatterbox and all his prate. 
' Sure not again just yet will his big heart 
' Set him a-railing with reproachful words 

I Against our Chiefs." So spake the common soldiers. 
Anon with sceptre in his hand Odusseus, 

The city-wasting chief, upstood (and by him 
280 Bright-eyed Athene, in likeness of a herald, 
Bade all the host keep silence, — that alike 
Might all the Achaians' sons at once, both nighest 
And the outmost, hear his word, and give good heed 
Unto his counsel) ; then with kindly thought 
And shrewd he thus held forth and spake before them ; 

II Atreides ! sure now do the Achaians wish 
285 ' To render Thee, king, a byew r ord basest 

1 'Mongst all the race of language-gifted mortals I 
1 Nor unto thee do they fulfil that promise, — 



42 THE ILIAD. II. 

i Wherein they pledged themselves when coining hither 
' From forth horse-pasturing Argos, — for thy sacking 
i The fair-walled Ilion, ere returning home. 
' For sure like widowed women, and young children, 

290 ' Each unto other do they wail for home. 
1 Eeturning home too Is indeed one's care 
' Toilsome when one is homesick. For indeed 
' A man, but one month absent from his wife, 
' Laments full sore beside his many-oared ship, 
' Which wintry storms and troubled sea detain : 
' But unto Us the ninth revolving year 

295 ' Is this of sojourn here; wherefore i' faith 
' I take it not amiss that thus the Achaians 
1 Are grieving sore beside their crook-beaked ships : 
' Yet, for all that, disgraceful 'twere forsooth 
' To stay so long, and then return home bootless. 
' Endure, friends, and stay ye yet awhile, 
' That we may learn if Calchas augurs true, 

300 ' Or whether not. For This we know right well 
' Of our own ken, and ye 're All witnesses, 
6 Whom the stern Fates of Death have not assailed 
' And carried off, — how t' other day or so, 
' When gathered were the Achaians' ships together 
i At Aulis, bringing troublous woe for Priam 
' And for the Trojans, — We were circling round 

305 ( A well, whence flowed bright water, and were offering 
*' 'Neath a fair plane-tree perfect hecatombs 
' Unto the Deathless gods, — appear did There 
' A mighty sign :— a Snake, blood-red the back, 
( Frightful, which sure Olympian Zeus himself 
' Sent forth to daylight, on a sudden darted 
' From underneath the altar, and straight rushed 



BOOK B. 



43 



1 Up to the plane-tree, whereupon were nestlings, 

i A sparrow's little young ones, — eight there were, — 

1 Cowering beneath the leaves on topmost branch ; 

1 Ninth was the mother-bird that hatched the brood : 

i There He devoured them crying piteously : 

' The mother-bird meanwhile was fluttering round, 

1 Bewailing her dear chicks : the snake howe'er, 

1 Coiling himself along, caught hold by wing 

' Of her, sore shrieking out. But when he had eaten 

■ The sparrow's young ones, one and all, and mother, 
' Then did the god, who had sent him forth to view, 

' Make him a marvellous sight ; for into stone 
1 The son of wily Chronos forthwith turned him : 
' And We yea stood and wondered at the marvel 
' Was brought about. Thus then did portents awful, 

I Sent by the gods, infest our hecatombs : 

■ Anon then Calchas thus held forth before us, 

■ And prophesied : " Now wherefore are ye speechless, 
" Ye long-haired Argives ? Zeus, the lord of counsel, 
" Has here displayed this mighty sign before us, 

" Late, — to be late fulfilled, — the fame whereof 

" Shall never perish ! As forsooth this monster 

" Has eaten up the sparrow's little ones, 

"Eight, and herself the ninth, the mother-bird 

" That hatched the brood,— so There shall We wage war 

" E'en just so many years, — but in the tenth 

II We sure shall take the broad-wayed City of Troy." 
1 E'en so did He hold forth ; and now forsooth 

1 All this is on accomplishment. Then come, 

1 Abide ye here, ye well-greaved Argives all, 

' Until we've won the mighty Town of Priam." 

He spake ; and the Argives shouted loud, applauding 



44 THE ILIAD. II. 

The advice of prince Odusseus ; and the ships 
Echoed again all round with noise terrific 
From the loud shouting of the Achaian host. 

335 Anon spake Nestor, the Gerenian horseman : 

" strange ! sure, sure ye talk like helpless babes 
1 That have no manner of thought about the business 
1 Of warfare and its work. What shall become 
i Of all our cov'nants and our solemn treaties ? 
• Yea ! let our chieftains' plans forsooth and counsels 
' Come all to nought i' th' fire ! and let our treaties, 

340 ' Hallowed with unmixed wine and pledged right hands, 
1 Wherein we trusted, — perish I— - for withal 
' Here are we dallying yet long time and wrangling 
' In wordy talk, and able never a whit 
'To find a way of furtherance. Atreides, — 
' Hold thou thy purpose yet, as heretofore, 
' Unshaken, and of the Argives Be commander 

345 ' In the stern brunt of battle : and let these be, 

i These One or Two, # to come to nought, who choose 
1 Apart from the Argives to be taking counsel 
' (Accomplishment howe'er they shall not have) 
' For going to Argos, ere they know forsooth 
' Whether the promise be a lie or not 
' Of JEgis-bearing Zeus. For sure I say 

350 ' That Chronides, whose might is paramount, 

' Gave his assenting nod that day, when the Argives 
' Set foot on board their quick-going ships, to bring 
[ Death and a slaughterous Doom upon the Trojans ; 
1 And hurled auspicious lightnings to the right, 
i Displaying fateful signs. Wherefore, let none 
' Hurry himself to be returning home, 

* Hinting, doubtless, at Thersites and Achilles. 



book B. 45 

1 Till with a Trojan wife has each man slept, 

' And taken vengeance ior the painsome longings 

' And groans of Helen. If any one howe'er 

1 Vehemently longs to be returning home, — 

1 Of his own dusky well-benched ship at once 

1 Let him lay hold, that so before all others 

1 He sure may meet his Death and mortal Doom. 

360 ' But take, King ! both of thyself good counsel, 
' And hearken too to another ; not indeed 
' Quite to be cast aside shall be the advice 
' I now would give. Arrange your men, Atreides, 
' By tribes, by clans, — that clan may stand by clan, 
1 And tribe by tribe : the which if thou shalt do, 
' And the Argives give obedience to thy hest, 

365 ' Discover shalt thou then, both which of leaders, 
1 And which of men, are cowards, and which brave ; 
1 For by themselves they'll fight : learn shalt thou also, 
' Whether indeed 't is by the gods' decrees, 
\ Or whether by the soldiers' cowardice 
1 And folly in fight, — thou canst not sack the City." 
Then answered him and spake king Agamemnon : 

370 " Sir ! now sure indeed thou dost surpass 

' The Achaians' sons in speech before the assembly : 

1 father Zeus ! Athene and Apollo ! 

1 Would had I ten such fellow-counsellors 

1 Among the Achaians ! Soon should then forsooth 

1 King Priam's Town be won by our hands and sacked, 

- And totter to its fall. But the iEgis-bearer, 

375 ' Zeus Chronides, has laid on me sore grief, 

' Who thrusts me into the midst of bootless quarrels 
' And strife. For sure have I, / and Achilles 
■ With wrangling words disputed for a damsel ; 



46 THE ILIAD. II. 

1 And 1 began being sore. Yet if again 

' Upon one plan we once shall haply agree, — 

' No longer putting off,— no never at all, — 

380 * Of mischief shall the Trojans have thereafter. 
' But hie ye now to breakfast, then we '11 forth, 
( Yea and join battle. Let each man his lance 
1 Have sharpened well, and have his shield well ordered ; 
' And let each man be sure to have foddered well 
' His nimble-footed horses, and let each 
1 Look well about his chariot, and prepare 

385 ' For battle-strife : so may we keep at issue 
i With hateful Ares all the day throughout. 
i For pause or let we will not have, a whit, 
1 Save when the night shall come and put asunder 
i The battle-rage of men. Sure shall the belt 
' Of each man's body-covering shield be sweating 
i About his chest, and weary shall he be 

390 ' Handling the spear in grasp ; and each man's horse 
i Full stretch shall draw the shapely car, and sweat. 
' But whomsoe'er chance I to notice shirking 
1 Aloof from fight and fain to stay behind 
' Beside the crook-beaked ships, — no way of escape 
' Shall He thereafter have from dogs and birds I " 
He spake ; whereat loud shouted the Argive host, 

395 Like as a wave upon a high bluff shore, 

When the South Wind shall come and stir it up 
Against the jutting headland ; which the waves 
Never forsake, in any manner of wind 
That blows or here or there. Up now they rose 
And stirred themselves, dispersed among the ships, 
And soon set all their camp-hut fires a-smoking, 

400 And took their breakfast. And a sacrifice 



book B. 47 

To one or other of the aye-living gods 
Did each man make, and pray he might escape 
Death and the moil of Ares. And the Chief 
Of chieftains, Agamemnon, sacrificed 
To Chronides, whose might is paramount, 
A goodly bullock, five years old ; whereunto 
The chieftain princes of the allied Achaians 
He called together ; — Nestor first of all, 
And lord Idomeneus ; two then he bade — 
Of one name, Ajax ; then the son of Tydeus ; 
And sixth, Odusseus, match to Zeus for wisdom. 
But Menelaus, bold at shout of battle, 
Came thither of himself, for in his heart 

410 He knew his brother well, how hard he toiled. " 
So stood they about the bullock, und uplifted 
The sacred barley-cakes : whereat thus prayed 
King Agamemnon and outspake before them : 
" Mightiest, most glorious, cloud-wrapt Zeus, 
' Who dwell'st in heaven ! Let not the Sun go down, 
1 Nor night come on, till first I've overthrown 

415 ' Priam's roof, down headlong, all in smoky flames, 
1 And burnt his gates with a consuming fire, — 
1 And cleft asunder Hector's coat of mail 
i Slashed by my sword upon his breast ! and grant me 
i His comrades round about him many a one, 
1 Headlong in dust, may bite the ground ! " He spake : 
Whereat howe'er did Chronides not yet 

420 Grant him fulfilment : He forsooth accepted 
Their sacrifices, but did yet enlarge 
Their toil unenviable. Soon as they had prayed, 
And tossed the sacred barley-cakes before them, — 
First drew they back the bullock's head, and butchered 



48 THE ILIAD. II. 

And flayed, — then straight cut out the hams, and wrapt them ] 
In the fat caul, with double fold of lard, 

425 And piled thereon raw pieces. These they burnt 
All down upon the leafless billet-wood : 
The inwards then they fixed on spits and held 
Over the fire. The ham-bones being burnt down, — 
And soon as of the inwards had they tasted, 
They cut up all the rest forthwith and spitted, 
And broiled right skilfully and drew all off. 

430 Now when they had ceased this toil, and dressed the feast, 
They feasted, and the soul had never a want 
Of a brave feast. Soon as of meat and drink 
They had put away desire, then thus the horseman 
Gerenian Nestor spake the foremost word : 
" Most glorious Agamemnon, Atreides, 
i Chieftain of chiefs ! Let us no longer now 

435 ' Lie here asleep,— nor longer put we off 

' The work which into our hands the god now puts. 

6 But come then, — let the heralds cry aloud 

i And summon all the troops of brass-clad Argives 

' Together By their ships : then go will We 

' Thus all at once throughout the length and breadth 

440 ' Of the Argive host, that we may arouse sharp Ares 
' More quickly." Spake he thus : whereat the Chief 
Of chieftains, Agamemnon was not loth 
To yield compliance : straightway then he bade 
The clear-voiced heralds cry aloud and summon 
The long-haired Argives to the fight. They cried,. 
Whereat the host right soon were all assembled. 
445 Then with Atreides did the Jove-loved princes 
Dart along to and fro, — ordering the ranks : 
And with them went Athene, the Bright-eyed, 



book B. 49 

Wearing her precious undecaying iEgis, 
Immortal ; whence hung waving, all of gold, 
Well-plaited all, a hundred tags, — and each 
Worth a full hundred beeves : herewith she darted 

450 Flashing along throughout the Achaian host 

To urge them forward ; and in each man's heart 
She stirred up strength, for combat and for fight 
Unceasing. And to them forthwith the battle 
Became more sweet than sailing back again 
In hollow ships to reach their fatherland. 
Like # as a wasteful fire, past power of telling, 

455 Lights up the brushwood on a mountain's tops, 
And the bright shine thereof is seen afar, — 
E'en so, — as These men stepped along, did brightness, 
Beaming on all sides from their marvellous brass, 
Through the clear air up-reach e'en unto heaven. 
And They, — yea, like as flocks of winged fowls, 

460 Far-spread, — of geese, or cranes, or long-necked swans, 
In the Asian meadow, by Cayster's river, 
Fly here and there rejoicing in their wings, 
As with loud clang they settle down before it, 
And all the meadow screams again, — So of These 
The many tribes, from camp-hut and from ship, 

465 Toured forth upon Scamander's plain ; and the Earth 
All rang again right terrible to hear 
Under the feet of horses and of men. 
And on Scamander's flowery mead they stood, 
Countless, as leaves and flowers burst forth in season. 
And like thick swarms of stinging-flies, that rove 

* Here follow, in rapid succession, no less than six similes, depictive — 1st, of the 
bright armour; 2nd, the noise of the troops; 3rd, their numbers ; 4th, their eager- 
ness ; 5th, the skill of their captains ; and, 6th, the pre-eminence of the commander- 
in-chief. 



50 THE ILIAD. II. 

470 About a cattle-stall in early summer 

When pails are drenched with milk,— so against the Trojans 
Stood countless on the field the long-haired Argives, 
Longing full fain to dash them all in pieces. 
And like as goat-herds easily part asunder 
Wide-spreading flocks of goats, when mixed at pasture, — 

475 So here, so there, did now the chiefs divide 
And marshall These, for going forth to fight. 
And 'mongst his captains came king Agamemnon, 
Like thunder-loving Zeus in head and eyes,— 
At girt, — like Ares, and for chest,— Poseidon, 
As — in a herd of kine,— far beyond all 

480 Out foremost stands the bull ; for he, distinguished, 
Shows himself forth among the herded cows, — 
E'en so the son of Atreus on that day 
Did Zeus set forth, midst many chieftain princes, 
Distinguished, yea the foremost of them all. 
Now, ye Muses, ye who dwell in mansions 
On lofty Olympus,— tell me now the tale : 

485 (For goddesses are Ye, and here ye are present, 
And Ye know All things : — We forsooth but hear, 
Hear but alone report, and We know nothing :) — 
Who were the Danaans' leaders and chief captains. 
But not could I the tale tell forth, or utter, 
Of all the common host ; no, not forsooth 
Had I ten mouths, and therewithal ten tongues, 

490 And voice unbreakable, and a heart of brass : 
Unless indeed the Muses from Olympus, 
Daughters of iEgis-bearing Zeus, would make 
Eehearsal of how many came to Ilion. 
Thus the ships all,— ships' captains also, I '11 tell 



BOOK 23. 51 

Of the Boeotians— Peneleus, and Leitos, 
495 Arcesilaos, Clonius, and Prothoenor 

Were the chief captains : of as many as dwelt 

In Hyria,— rocky Aulis,— and in Schoinos, 

In Scolos, and in hilly Eteonos, 

In roomy Mycalessos, — in Thespeia, 

In Graia too : and of as many as dwelt 

About Eilesios, Harma, and Erythrse : 
500 Also of those who dwelt at Eleon, — Hyle, — 

And Peteon, — and at Medeon — fair-built Town, 

And at Ocalea, — Copse, — and Eutresis, — J 

And Thisbe, noted for its many doves : 

Also of all who dwelt in Coroneia, 

In grassy Haliartos, and Platsea ; 

Of all from Grlissas, and from Hypothebse — 
505 A fair-built Town ; of all too from Onchestos, 

A comely meadow, sacred to Poseidon ; 

Also of those who occupied Mideia, — 

And Arne, rich in grapes, — and sacred Nissa, — 

And last, Anthedon, outlying on the border : 

Of These came fifty ships, and on board each, 
510 Boeotian youths, one hundred and one score. 

Of those that had their dwellings at Aspledon, 

And Minyen Orchomenos, — the captains 

Were two, — Ascalaphos and Jalmenos, — 

Both sons of Ares : these to mighty Ares 

Astyoche, a tender girl, brought forth, 

In the house of Actor, Azeus' son : she had gone 
515 Into an upper chamber ; where beside her 

The war-god lay by stealth : — the hollow ships 

Of These were ranged in line, one score and ten. 

Then Schedios and Epistrophos, the sons 



52 THE ILIAD. II. 

Of high-souled Iphitos Naubolides, 

Were leaders of the Phocian men ; who dwelt 

In Cyparissos and in rocky Pytho, 

520 And sacred Crisse, Panopeus and Daulis : 
Some also dwelt about Hyampolis, 
Anemoreia too : and some abode 
Along divine Cephissos , river-stream, 
And others occupied the Town Lilaia, 
Hard by Cephissos' fountains : — dusky ships 
Forty there came in company with These. 
1 525 Now went they about the Phocian ranks, and set them 
In battle array : and there they harnessed them 
Near the Boeotian troops upon their left. 
Swift Ajax was the leader of the Locrians; 
Oileus' son was he, the lesser Ajax, — 
Nothing so large as Telamonian Ajax, 
But lesser far : small sure he was, and wore 

530 A linen corslet ; yet with lance he excelled 

The whole Hellenic race and all the Achaians : 

These Locrians dwelt at Opoeis and Cynos, 

Calliaros and Bessa ; also at Scarphe, 

And lovely Augeise ; Tarphe also and Phronios, 

About Boagrios' river-streams : — with Him 

Two score dark ships of Locrians came, whose dwellings 

535 Lie o'er against the sacred isle Euboea. 

Now they that held Euboea were the Abantes, 
Breathing fierce courage, — and they dwelt in Chalcis, 
Eretria, and Histiaia, rich in grapes ; 
Cerinthos too, on the sea ; and the steep Town 
Of Dion : some had dwelling in Carystos, 
Others abode at Styra : — and the leader 

540 Who had the charge of these high-souled Abantes 



book B. 53 

Was Elephenor, son of Chalcodon, 

And a brave scion of Ares : 't was with Him 

The swift Abantes came, — wearing long hair 

Behind their heads,* — bold spearmen armed with pikes, 

With ashen pikes out-held, all fain to shatter 

The corslets of their foes about their breasts : 

545 With Him there came twice twenty dusky ships. 
Then Those who dwelt in Athens fair-built Town, 
The people of the mighty-souled Erechtheus, 
Whom erst Athene, daughter of high Zeus, 
Brought up ; (but fruitful womb of Earth engendered 
And gave him birth ;) — and in her own rich temple 
She settled him at Athens : there with bulls 

550 And rams the Athenian youths, as years come round, 
Appease her : now of These the son of Peteos, 
Menestheus, was the Captain. Never yet 
Was there a man like him on face of earth 
For marshalling both warriors in their chariots, 
And those on foot with shields : Nestor alone, — 

555 For He was far his elder, — vied with him : 

With Him came dusky ships two score and ten. 

Twelve ships from Salamis did Ajax lead ; 

And where the Athenians' phalanxes were stationed, 

He also led and stationed his hard by. 

Now of those who dwelt in Argos, and in Tirys 

Well-walled, — in Asine and Hermlone, 

560 Jettying down upon their ample gulf, — 
In Troizen, and in vine-clad Epidauros, 
And Ejone, and of dwellers in iEgina 
And Mases too, — Achaian soldier-lads, — 
Of These was Diomed the chief commander, 

* A token of courage in battle. 



54 THE ILIAD. II. 

Doughty in fight, and with him Sthenelos, 
The son of far-famed Capaneus ; and third 

565 With them together came a godlike man, 
Euryalos, the son of lord Mecisteus, 
The son of lord Talaion; but chief captain 
Was Diomed, the doughty in fight, of These 
Yea all : and with them came dark ships four score. 
Then Those who dwelt in fair-built Town My cense, 

570 In wealthy Corinth too, and strong Cleone ; 
And those that occupied Orneia's pastures, 
And lovely Araithyrea, Sicyon too, 
(Wherein Adrastus erst held kingly sway,) 
And those who dwelt in lofty Gonoessa, 
Pellen and Hyperesia ; and who dwelt 
Bound iEgion, and about broad Elice, 

575 And all along the coast, — King Agamemnon 
The son of Atreus, with one hundred ships, 
Of These was captain ; and with Him there came 
Soldiers by far the choicest and the most : 
And He his brazen gleaming harness donned, 
Exulting high, because was he distinguished 
Midst all the Chiefs, for that He was the Chiefest, 

580 And that he led by far the largest forces. 

Then Those who dwelt in the ample hollow vale 
Of Lacedsemon, — in the Towns of Sparta — 
Phares, and Messe with its many doves ; 
Those also that abode in lovely Augeiae, 
And in Bryseise ; also those who dwelt 
About Amyclae, Laas, and in Helos, 

585 Town by the sea ; and all round Oitylos, — 
His brother Menelaus, doughty in battle, 
Was captain over These and sixty ships : 



book B. 55 

And all apart they equipped themselves ; and He, 
On his own zeal relying, went amongst them 
To rouse them to the fight ; for in his heart 
Most sharply set was he to take revenge 

590 For Helen's painsome longings and sad sorrows. 
Then Those who at Pylos dwelt, and lovely Arene, 
Thrjon — Alpheios' ford, and fair-built iEpy ; 
Those too that occupied Amphigeneia 
And Cyparisses ; Pteleon also, and Helos, 
And Dorion ; where the Muses on a time 
Met Thamyris the Thracian on his way 

595 Back from (Echalia, from the GSchalian chief 
r Prince Eurytos, — and there they put a stop 

To his power of song ; for boasted he and stood to it 
How He would win therein, yea though the Muses, 
Daughters of iEgis-bearing Zeus, themselves 
Should choose to sing : but they thereat all wroth 
Rendered him blind ; and took away moreover 

600 His marvellous power of minstrelsy, and made him 
Yea clean forget his harping, Now the horseman, 
Gerenian Nestor was of These the captain, 
And ninety were his hollow ships in line. 
Then Those that had their dwelling in Arcadia, 
Under Cyllene's high o'erhanging mountain, 
Hard by the tomb of JEpytos, where men 

605 Fight hand to hand; those too that dwelt at Pheneus, 
And at Orchomenos, full rich with sheep ; 
And bleak Enispe, Ripe too and Stratia, 
And Tegea, and the lovely Town Mantinea ; 
And dwellers at Stymphelos and Parrhasia; — 
Of These— Ancaias' son, lord Agapenor, 

610 Commanded sixty ships : and in each ship 



56 THE ILIAD. II. 

Came many Arcadian men, well-skilled in battle : 
For Atreus' son himself, the chief of chieftains, 
King Agamemnon, gave them trim-benched ships 
To cross the purple deep ; since unto them 
Sea-faring business was no thought or care. 

615 Then Those that had their dwelling at Buprasium 
And sacred Elis, all that ample coast, 
Where round lay Myrsinos upon the border, 
Hyrmine also, and the Olenian rock, 
Aleision too, — all closing it within them : 
Now of Them the chiefs were four, and with each chief 
Came ten swift ships, and many Epeians in them. 

620 Of some — the captains were Amphimachos 
And Thalpius, — sons, — the first of Cteatos, — 
T'other of Eurytos Actorides. 
The son of Amarynx, mighty Diores, 
Commanded some ; and godlike Polyxeinos, 
Son of the lord Agastheneus Augeides, 
Was captain of the fourth. Then those who came 

625 From the isle Dulichium and the sacred isles, 
The Echinades, that lie beyond the sea 
O'er against Elis, — These were all commanded 
By Meges, Phyleus* son, a match for Ares ; 
His father was the Jove-loved horseman Phyleus, 
Who on a time, through anger with his father, 
Withdrew to the isle Dulichium : — now with Meges 

630 In company came dusky ships two score. 

Odusseu3 led the high-souled Cephallenians, — 
All such as had their homes in Ithaca, 
And Neritos with leafy woods all quivering, 
And rugged Aigilips, and Crocyleus; 
Those too that dwelt in Samos, and Zacynthus, 



book B. 57 

And those who abode on the other side the strait, 

635 And in Epeiros, — of all These — Odusseus, — 
In weight of wisdom equal unto Zeus, — • 
Was the commander : and in company 
With Him there came twelve ships with ruddy cheeks. 
Thoas, Andrsemon's son, had the command 
Of all the iEtolians, those who dwelt at Pleuron, 
And Olenos, and Chalcis by the sea, — 

640 Pylene also, and Caledon the rocky : — 

For sons of high-souled Oineus were no more, 
And He too was no more, and Meleager 
The yellow-haired was dead : wherefore on Thoas 
Was laid all charge of ruling o'er the iEtolians : 
And dusky ships there came with Him two score. 

645 Spear-famed Idomeneus was Chief of Cretans, 

Who dwelt at Cnossus, and the well-walled Gortyn, 
At Lyctos and Miletus, and Lycastos 
The white-soiled, — and the fair-lying Towns of Rhytion 
And Phaistos, — all that had their homes in Crete, 
The hundred-citied : in command of These 

650 Was prince Idomeneus, renowned for spear, 
And Merion, equal to the War-god, Ares, 
The Slayer of Men : — with These came dark ships forty. 
Then, Heracleides, lord Tlepolemos, 
Both tall and brave, was of nine ships the Leader 
Of high-souled Rhodians from the isle of Rhodes ; 
Marshalled in three were they that dwelt in Rhodes, — 

655 These — from white-soiled Cameiros, those — from Lindos, 
The third was from Jelyssos : o'er all These 
The spear-renowned Tlepolemos was captain ; 
W^hose mother was Astyoche, who bare him 
To Heracles the mighty one of Strength : 



58 THE ILIAD. II. 

For her from out of Ephyre he married 

And led from Sellen's river, when he had sacked 

660 Full many a Town of Jove-loved warrior-princes. 
Tlepolemos howe'er, but newly grown 
To manhood in the fair-built house, on sudden 
Slew his own fathers dear maternal uncle, 
Licymnios, now already growing old, 
A scion of Ares : then he straight built ships : 
And gathered He much people, and away 

665 Went fleeing o'er the deep : for the other sons, 
And grandsons too, of mighty Heracles 
Had threatened him. Thus wandered he, and came, 
Enduring many a hardship, unto Rhodes. 
And settled there by tribes, in three, they were, 
And loved of Zeus, the lord of gods and men : 

670 And wealth upon them Chronides down-showered 
Unspeakable. The captain forth from Syme 
Of three good ships was Nireus ; Nireus, the son 
Of gladsome Oharopos and bright Aglaia ; 
Nireus, who after blemishless Peleides 
Was the most comely man of all the Danaans 
That came to Ilion : but a spiritless weakling 

675 He was, and few the folk that followed him. 
Then Those who dwelt at Nisyros and Casos, 
And Crapathos, and the Calydnian isles, 
And Cos, Eurypylos' fair Town, — of These 
Antiphus and Pheidippos were the captains, 
Both sons of Thessalos, lord Heracleides : 

680 And thirty were their hollow ships in line. 

And now we tell of Those who abode in Argos, 
Pelasgian Argos : dwellers they at Alos, 
Trachis and Alope ; some dwelt in Phthia, 



book B. 59 

And some in Hellas, famed for comely women ; 
And Myrmidons, Hellenians and Achaians 
Were these all called ; and of their fifty ships 

685 Achilles was commander. These howe'er 

Bethought them not of horrid-sounding battle ; 
As none was there to lead Them to their ranks : 
For lying idle was the prince Achilles, 
The able-footed, at his ships, — in wrath 
About the damsel, comely-tressed Briseis, — 

690 Whom, — when he sacked Lyrnessos, and destroyed 
The Theban walls, — through many a troublous toil 
He chose and took as booty from Lyrnessos ; 
Where down he struck Epistrophos and Mynes, 
Bold spearmen both, the sons of lord Evenos, 
Son of Selepes : — thus in grief for Her 
Idling was He ; yet was he soon to arise. 

695 Then Those who abode in flowery Pyrrhasos, 
Demeter's sacred yard, — and Phylace ; 
The dwellers also in I ton, mother of flocks, 
And Pteleos with its herbage fit for bedding, 
And Antron by the sea ; — captain of These 
Was, — while alive, the brave Protesilaos ; 
But now dark Earth already covered him. 

700 And sad in widowhood at Phylace 

His wife, — with grief-torn cheeks, — was left behind, 
And house but half complete : a Dardan man 
Slew him, as leaping was he from his galley 
Far foremost of the Achaians. Not, howe'er 
E'en thus without a chief were they, — for sure 
A chieftain did they yearn for, — but Podarces, 

705 A scion of Ares, put them into array ; 
Son of the lord Phylacides Iphiclus, 



60 THE ILIAD. II. 

Wealthy in flocks, was he, — the younger-born, 
Own brother of mighty-souled Protesilaos : 
And lord Protesilaos, he — the warrior, 
Was the elder and the better : yet no lack 
Of leader had the troops, though Him so brave 

710 They missed indeed. With Him came dark ships forty. 
Then those who dwelt in Pherse, by the lake 
Boibeis, in the fair-built Town Iaolcos, — 
Boibe, and Glaphyre, — captain of These, 
With eleven galleys, was the prince Eumelos, 
Admetos' dear-loved son ; whom unto Admetos 
Alcestis fair of woman-kind brought forth, 

715 The comeliest of the daughters of lord Pelias. 
Then Those that occupied Thaumacie, 
Methone too, and Olizon the rugged, 
And Meliboea, — of These prince Philoctetes, 
Right cunning archer, with seven ships was captain : 
And oarsmen fifty had come on board each ship, 

720 Well-skilled in bow and arrow for strong battle. 
But suffering mighty grief was He, and lying 
In the holy isle of Lemnos, where behind 
The Achaians' sons had left him, suffering sore 
From festering bite of deadly water-snake. 
There lying in pain was He : but at their ships 
Soon were the Argives to be put in mind 

725 Of their lord Philoctetes. Not howe'er 

Commander-less were they forsooth, — yet sure 

They missed their chief: but marshal them did Medon, 

Oileus' bastard son, whom Rhene bare 

Unto the Ravager of Towns, Oileus. 

Then Those who dwelt in Tricca, and Ithome 

The steep, and those that occupied GEchalia, 



BOOK B. 61 

The City of CEchalian Eurytos, — 

Of These — were Podaleirios and Machaon 

The captains, — good chirurgeons, — the two sons 

Of prince Asclepios : and in line were ranged 

Their hollow ships one score and ten. Then those 

That occupied Ormenion, — those that owned 

The fountain Hypereia, — and the dwellers 

735 About the white hill-tops of Titanos, 
And in Asterion ; — these — Eurypylos 
Had in command, Evaeinon's comely son : 
With Him came dusky ships two score in company. 
Then Those that had their dwelling at Argissa ; 
Those from about Gortone, also Elone, 
And Orthe ; and the White Town Oloosson ; — 

740 Of These again — was Polypoites captain, 

Staunch in the battle, son of prince Peirithoos, 
Whom Deathless Jove begat : Him to Peirithoos 
The far-renowned Hippodameia bare, 
That day, when on the Centaurs wild and shaggy 
He took revenge ; and thrust them forth from Pelion, 
And drave them to the JEthicians : — not alone 

745 Was Polypoites chief; with him was joined 
Leonteus, scion of Ares, in command, 
Son of high-souled Coronos, son of Caineus : 
With Them came dusky ships two score in company, 
Gouneus, from out of Cyphos, was the leader 
Of two and twenty ships ; and with him came 
Peraibians — firm in battle, and Enienians ; 

750 They that had built their homes about Dodona — 
The storm-vexed : those that occupied the fields 
On either lovely bank of Titaresios, 
Which sends its comely- flowing water forth 



63 THE ILIAD. II. 

Into the Peneus, yet not mingled is it 
With silver-eddying Peneus ; but a-top 
It flows, like oil, upon the face thereof; 

755 For 'tis an off-stream branching from the water 
Of the dread, Hateful Styx, — Witness of oaths. 
Of the Magnetians — Prothoos was the captain, 
Son of Tenthredon : by the banks of Peneus, 
And by mount Pelion with its quivering foliage 
Dwelt They : — of These quick Prothoos was commander, 
With whom came dusky ships two score in company.* 

760 So These then were the Leaders and Commanders 
Of all the Danaan host. And Who, forsooth, 
Tell, tell me thou, Muse, — Who 'fore them all 
That came in comp'ny with the sons of Atreus, 
Who was the bravest, — both of men and horses ? 
Of horse-kind far the best had Phereteides, 
And these Eumelosf drave, — swift foot, — bird like, — 

765 Alike in coat, in age, — in height at withers 

Nice to a plumb-line : trained they were by Apollo, 

Lord of the Silver Bow, — trained in Pieria, 

Mares both, — forth carrying Terror, the imp of Ares. 

But now of Men — the Telamonian Ajax 

Was bravest far, — so long as yet Achilles 

Was cherishing his wrath, — for Best was He 

770 Much beyond all, so also were the horses 
That used to bear the blemishless Peleides : 
But idly lying beside his crook-beaked ships, 
Traversers of the deep, was He, still nursing 
His wrath against the pastor of the host, 
Atreides Agamemnon : and his men 
Were letting fly with quoits and making merry, 

* In all, 1135 ships. f See B. xxiii., 288, etc. 



I 



book B. 63 

775 On the sea-beach, with bows and hunting-spears : 
And standing were the horses by their chariots, 
Each by his own, — feeding on lotos-clover, 
And marsh-grown parsley ; and the captains' chariots 
Were idly lying shut up within their huts, 
While They, regretting sore their doughty Chief, 
Oft .wandered to and fro about the host, 
And marched not to the fight. But the host went; — 

780 Whereat — 't was e'en as though by a spreading fire 
The land were all depastured ; and the earth 
Under them groaned again, — as at the wrath 
Of Zeus delighting in his thunderbolts, 
What time he smites the earth about Typhoon 
In Arimeia, — where Typhoon has. 
They say, his resting-place : — so 'neath the feet 
Of Them, as marched they along, — the earth forsooth 

785 Mightily groaned again : and o'er the plain 
Right swift they made their way. — 

— Now to the Trojans 
Came a swift messenger with feet like wind, 
Iris, — dispatched by iEgis-bearing Zeus, — 
With troublous tidings. They in the gates of Priam 
Were gathered all, old men and young together, 
And holding an assembly : — unto them 

790 Swift-footed Iris now drew near and spake, 
Likening herself in voice to a son of Priam, 
Polites, — who was wont to sit as watcher, 
Relying on the swiftness of his feet, — 
The Trojans' look-out-man, a-top the tomb 
Of aged JSsyetes, and looked out 
Waiting till when the Achaians from their ships 

795 Might make a start : likening herself to Him, 



64 THE ILIAD. II. 

Swift-footed Iris thus outspake : — " Sir ! 
Babblings of words unsorted, words for ever 
Tickle thy heart, as ever in time of peace : 
But up is War, yea that may not be stayed. 
Sure sure indeed full many a time I 've gone 
Into the battle-fields of men ; but such, 
800 ' Yea, and so great a host I Ve never seen : 

For sure like leaves or sand, countless, they're marching 
Athwart the plain, to battle for the Town. 
But Hector ! thee most specially I enjoin, 
At once do thus : — the allies of Priam are many 
In our great Town, and of the wide-spread folk, 
Broad-cast, the tongues are divers, one from other : 
805 ' Let then each Chief give signal unto Those 
O'er whom he rules ; and his own citizens 
Let him array, and lead them forth for battle." 
She spake : whereat not ignorant was Hector 
How 't was a goddess' bidding, and forthwith 
Broke up the assembly ; and straight they rushed to arms. 
Oped then were all the gates, wherefrom forth sallied 
810 The host, both foot and horse, and there was raised 
A great hubbub and din. Now on the plain 
Before the Town there stands a certain mound, 
High, steep, aloof, road running here and there 
All round about it : men are wont forsooth 
To call it " Batieia ; " by the Deathless 
'Tis called the spry # Myrinne's burial mound: 
815 There both the Trojan host and their allies 

Were now all marshalled in their several order. 
Commander of the Trojans was tall Hector 

* " Spry" is an East Anglian provincialism, exactly corresponding to the Greek 
epithet, which means literally "very springy" or "ready to bound a long way." 
Knowing no other word so pat to the meaning, I have not scrupled to use it. 



book B. 65 

Priamides, with glancing helm : with Him 
His troops, by far the bravest and the most, 
Harnessed themselves, all eager for their spears. 
The captain of the Dardans was iEneas, 

820 Anchises' doughty son : (unto Anchises 

Him did the Jove-sprung Aphrodite bear, — 

A goddess wedded with a mortal man, — 

Among the knolls of Ida :)— not alone 

Did he command, but both Archilochus 

And Acamus, two sons of prince Antenor, 

Both skilled in every manner of fight, were with him. 

Then Those who dwelt at Ida's lowest foot, 

825 Zeleia, — Trojans,— wealthy race,— who drank 
JEsepos' darkling water, — leader of These 
Was Pandarus, Lycaon's comely son, 
Whose bow and bowmanship forsooth Apollo, 
The archer-god, himself had deigned to give him. 
Then Those from Adrasteia, Pityeia, 
And from Apsesos' land, and those who dwelt 

830 Beside Tereia's steepling mount, — o'er These 
Adrastos was commander, with Amphios 
Of linen corslet,— the two sons of Merops, 
Percosian augur, who in divination 
Had skill past all ; so gave not leave to these, 
His sons, to venture to the murderous War : 
But they obeyed him never a whit ; for Fates 

835 Of dark and violent Death did lead them on. 

Then Those who dwelt round Practios and Percote, — 
Sestos, — Abydos, — and divine Arisbe, — 
Of These — the son of Hyrtacos was captain, 
Asios, 'mongst doughty warriors foremost, — Asios 
Hyrtacides, whom tall and fiery horses 



66 THE ILIAD. II. 

Brought from Arisbe, from the stream Selleeis. 

840 Of the Pelasgian tribes, renowned lancers, 

Hippothoos had command,— of those who dwelt 
About Clarissa's cloddy glebe, — of These 
Captains were both Hippothoos, and Pylseos, . 
A scion of Ares ; both were sons of Lethos, 
By birth Pelasgian, son of Teutamos. 
Captain was Acamas, and the lord Peiroos, 

845 Of all the Thracians that the strong-flowing tide 
Of Hellespont shuts in, Of the Ciconians, 
Bold with the spear, the leader was Euphemos, 
Son of the prince Troizenos, son of Ceas. 
Of the Pseonians, armed with crooked bows, 
Pyrsechmes was the captain, from afar, 
From Amydon, — from Axios, flowing broad, 

850 Axios, whereof the water spreads itself 

Pall beauteous o'er the land. Of Paphlagonians 
From the Venetians' coast, whereon is bred 
A race of wild half-asses,— the commander 
Of all indeed who dwelt round Sesamos, 
And in Cytorus,— was that shag^gy heart 
Pylsemen, — also of those that occupied 
Renowned abodes about JSglalos, — 

855 Cromna, — and by the river Parthenos, 
And on the highland Erythinian fields. 
Then Hodios and Epistrophos commanded 
The Halizonians, — from a far off land, 
From Alybe, whereout crops native silver. 
Commanders of the Mysians were both Chromis 
And Ennomos, — learned in birds of omen : 
Yet by his bird-lore not could he ward off 

860 The gloomy Fate of Death, but bowed was He 



book B. 67 

Beneath the hand of swift iEacides, 

Who in the river slew him, yea and others 

Full many a Trojan with him. Of the Phrygians 

Was Phorcys captain, and the comely Ascanios, 

From the far land Ascania ; and in battle 

Full fain they were to fight. Of the Maeonians 

The leaders were both Antiphos and Mesthles, 

865 Sons of Pylsemen ; and the lake Gygaia 

Brought them both forth : commanders were they also 

Of the Mseonians from the foot of Tmolos. 

The leadership had Nastes of the Oarians, 

Men of outlandish tongue, who occupied 

Miletus, and the Phtheirians' wood-bound mountain, 

Of blending leafage undistinguishable, — 

Mseander's flowing stream too, and the high tops 

870 Of Mycale ; of These Amphimachos 

And Nastes were the leaders : comely sons 
Were Nastes and Amphimachos of Nomion, 
Who also came to the war, — yea wearing gold, 
Like as a maid, — the fool ; yet never a whit 
From him did This ward off a dismal death : 
But bowed was He in the river 'neath the hands 
Of swift iEacides ; and as to his gold, — 

875 Slaughterous Achilles took good care of that. 

Then Lycians, — from the banks of eddying Xanthos, — 
Of Them— Sarpedon was the Chief; and Glaucos, 
The blemishless, was with him in command, — 
Of all from out of Lycia's far off land. 



68 THE ILIAD, III. 



ARGUMENT OF THE THIKD BOOK. F. 

The liosts meet for battle. Paris challenges any Achaian chief for single 
combat. Menelaus shews himself against him, and Paris shrinks back. 
His brother Hector chides him, whereat Paris undertakes to fight Mene- 
laus. Iris calls Helen to the walls of Ilion to see the combat. The 
Trojan Elders sitting there with Priam admire her beauty. Priam asks 
her to tell him the names of the Achaian chiefs on the plain, which she 
accordingly does. On Odusseus being mentioned, old Antenor tells of his 
eloquence and that of Menelaus. A herald summons Priam into the field 
to make a solemn truce for the single combat, which is to decide the war. 
Menelaus beats; but Aphrodite carries off Paris in a mist to his own 
chamber ; and then calls Helen from the walls to go to him. She refuses. 
Aphrodite threatens her : so she goes, and chides Paris, who however 
manages to soothe her. Menelaus meanwhile is looking about for him 



GAMMA : how Paris.fights with Menelaus 
In single combat : from the Trojan towers 
The battle-field is viewed by Priam and Helen. 



Now when the troops together with their captains 
Were marshalled thus on either side in order, — 
The Trojans marched with screams, and cries, like birds : — 
E'en as of cranes the cry goes up to heaven, 
When from a storm and downfal vast of rain 
5 They 've just escaped ; and off to the Ocean's river 
With screams they fly, bearers of death and slaughter 
To the Pygmaean folk ; # to whom at morn 

* Some understand this to mean a race of Dwarfs, "Hop o* my thumbs;" others 
think that monkeys are meant. 



book r. 69 

Wonted are they to offer troublous quarrel. 
But the Achaians, — they forsooth in silence 
Marched, breathing battle-rage, at heart full fain 
To stand each one by other in the fray. 

10 As when on mountain-peaks the South-Wind, Notos, 
Pours down a fog, not pleasant unto shepherds, 
But unto a thief— more gainsome than the night, — 
And one can see before one but as far, 
As he might cast a stone; — so was a cloud 
Of dust raised eddying up beneath the feet 
Of Them as on they marched : and thwart the plain 

15 Right swift they made their way. And when the hosts, 
Thus marching each 'gainst other, now were near, — 
A champion on the Trojan side in front, 
Came godlike Alexander : on his shoulders 
A leopard-skin he wore, and crooked bow 
And arrows, and a sword : and, brandishing 
Two brass-tipped spears, He challenged face to face 

20 Any the best of the Argives in grim battle 
To fight against him. Soon as Menelaus, 
Beloved of Ares, noted him so coming, 
So striding big, before the assembled host, — 
Full glad he was ; yea as a lion when hungry 
At lighting on a carcase goodly in bulk, — 
Finding a wild goat, or some horned stag, — 

25 For sure he eats it up, yea though swift hounds, 
And lusty youths, are hot upon his track ;~ 
E'en so was Menelaus glad — at seeing 
The godlike Alexander 'fore his eyes ; 
For thinking was he to chastise the sinner : 
So straightway to the ground from forth his chariot 
He leapt with all his armour. Soon howe'er 



70 THE ILIAD. III. 

30 As godlike Alexander noted Him 

Forth shining 'mongst the foremost, his dear heart 
Was terror-stricken, and back again he shrank 
Into his comrades' troop, — so escaping death. 
And as in mountain-glen, at sight of snake, 
One hastily recoils and stands aloof, 
And sudden trembling comes upon his limbs, 

35 And back again he draws, and a pale hue 

O'erspreads his cheeks,— so godlike Alexander, 
Through fear of Atreus' son, plunged back again 
Into his company of lordly Trojans. 
But Hector eyed him, and with words ofshame 
Rated him thus : — " Ah 'would, — thou unlucky Paris, 
i In fashion comeliest ! Woman-mad ! Deceiver ! 

40 ' 'would thou 'dst been unborn or died unwedded ! 
6 Yea, would I That forsooth, and 't were far better, 
i Than for thee thus to be the gazing stock 
1 For all, and a disgrace ! Chuckling aloud 
' Sure are the long-haired Argives all at thinking 
' How 'tis a Champion prince ! for that thou hast 
' A comely form about thee ; but at heart 

45 * Strength is there not, nor any manner of courage ! 
' Such then as This wast thou, and didst thou gather 
i Right trusty mates, and in sea-faring ships 
' Didst sail the deep, and mix with foreigners, 
' And carry off from yonder far-off land 
' The shapely woman, her, the wedded fair, 
1 Allied by marriage unto warrior chieftains ? 

50 ' A heavy woe, — unto thy sire, — thy City, — 
1 And the whole land !— to foes indeed a joy ; 
' But upon thee thyself— -a downcast shame. 
' Is't then thou durst not stand and bide yon warrior, 



BOOK r. 71 

Ares-loved Menelaus ? To thy cost 
Soon shouldst thou know, what manner of Man is He, 
Whose blooming wife thou'rt holding* in possession. 
Avail thee not should all thy skill in harping, — 
Thy gifts of Aphrodite,— that fair hair, — 
That comely form, — when in the dust wert mingled* 
But cowards, arrant cowards, are w T e Trojans, 
Or long ere now forsooth been clad hadst thou 
In a coat of stone,— for all thine heinous doings." 
Then answered him the god-like Alexander : — 
1 Hector ! now sure thou chidest me with fitness, 
And not o'erstepping fitness : Ever unwearied 
Is Thy strong heart, like any axe, that goes 
Driven through a timber by the ship-wright's arm, 
When skilfully he's cutting for a ship, 
And the man's force it strengthens ; so in thy breast 
Undaunted is thy heart. Bring not against me 
The lovely gifts of golden Aphrodite : 
Not to be cast away forsooth as worthless 
Are the gods' glorious gifts, any soe'er 
They deign to give ; and not is 't every one 
Can at will take them. But if me thou wishest 
To battle and fight, — make all the rest sit down, 
Trojans and Argives ; then in midst together 
Put me and Menelaus, loved of Ares, 
To fight for Helen and for all her havings : 
And wliichsoe'er shall beat, and be the master, — 
Let him take all she has, yea, and the woman, 
And carry with him home : — so ye may all, — 
With solemn sacrifice and covenant sure, 
Make friendly peace, and dwell in Troy's fat land, 
And They— sail back to their horse-feeding Argos, 



72 THE ILIAD. III. 

'And to Achaia, land of comely women." 
He spake : and at the hearing of his word 
Right glad was Hector ; and before the lines 
Midway he went, grasping a spear by its middle, 
And held the Trojans' phalanxes in check ; 
And Their whole host was made to sit. Anon, 

80 At Him the long-haired Argives bent their bows, 
And aimed and hurled with javelins and with stones. 
But Agamemnon, he, the king of men, 
Cried out aloud : " Hold ! Argives ! shoot ye not, 
' Ye Achaian lads ! lo, for some weighty word 
' Does Hector, of the glancing helm, stand forth. ,, 
He spake : whereat they held them back from fight, 
And hurriedly all silent they became : 

85 And Hector thus outspake betwixt both lines : 

" Hear ye, Trojans, and ye fair-greaved Argives, 

' From Me the speech of Alexander Paris, 

' On whose account the strife arose. He exhorts 

i The other Trojans and the Achaians all 

i To doff and lay aside their goodly harness 

' Down on the bosky earth : and that himself, 

90 ' And Menelaus the beloved of Ares, 

' Should fight in single combat in the midst, 
1 They alone, for Helen and for all her havings ; 
( And whichsoever shall beat and prove the master, — 
' Let him take all she has, yea, and the woman, 
' And carry with him home ; and all we others, 
' With solemn sacrifice and covenant sure, 

95 ' Make friendly peace." He said : whereat were all 
Silent and still. Then also thus before them 
Spake Menelaus bold in shout of battle : 
" Now hear ye also Me : for me most nearly 



BOOK r. 



73 



100 



105 



110 



115 



120 



Grief touches here : and now for parting issue 
'Twixt Trojans and Achaians am I minded, 
For much distress ye 've borne for this my quarrel, 
And on account of Paris — the Beginning : 
So of us twain Die He, for whichsoever 
His Death and Doom is ready : and ye others 
Be parted with all speed. Then fetch ye lambs, 
One white, a male; and one a female, black; 
For the Earth, and for the Sun-god : while for Zeus 
Another We will fetch— a male. And bring ye 
His Mightiness king Priam, that He himself 
With solemn sacrifice may make the treaty : 
For faithless are his sons and overweening ; 
So none through wantonness may violate 
Treaties before high Zeus. For young men's wits 
Are always wavering, turned with every wind : 
But both before him and behind at once 
Does He, the Old man, look, — whereinsoe'r 
He takes a part, that matters may be best — 
Yea for both sides." He spake : and glad were They, 
Both Trojans and Achaians, at the hope 
Of having come to an end of dreary War. 
So now they kept their chariots back in lines, 
And down they alighted, — doffed their fighting gear, 
And laid them by on the earth, beside each other ; 
For round was little room. Anon to Town 
Hector dispatched two heralds with all speed, 
To fetch the lambs, and call at once king Priam : 
And the lord Agamemnon, He sent forth 
Talthybius on his way to the hollow ships 
And bade him bring a lamb : whereat not slack 
Was He forsooth to heed prince Agamemnon. 



74 THE ILIAD. III. 

Meanwhile, a messenger to white-armed Helen # 

Came Iris, fashioned like her sister-in-law, 

Wife of Antenor's son, — Laodice, 

Whom Antenorides, lord Helicaon, 

Possessed for wife, choicest of all Priam's daughters 

For comeliness. And Helen in her chamber 
125 She found ; where weaving was she an ample web, 

Sparkling, of double woof; wherein she embroidered, 

Full thick, the toils of the horse-taming Trojans 

And of the brass-mailed Argives ; toils, they suffered 

Under the hands of Ares, for Her sake. 

Swift-footed Iris now drew near, and said : 

" Hither, dear bride, come hither and see the doings, 
130 f Yea wondrous, both of filly-taming Trojans 

6 And of the brass-mailed Argives; who erewhile 

* Were longing all for slaughterous fight, and bringing 
' The god of War, Forcer of many tears, 
' Against each other in the field : They Now 

* Are seated, — and the War is brought to an end, — 
1 Seated in silence, leaning on their shields ; 

135 ' And planted are their lengthy spears beside them. 
' But now with lengthy spears to fight for Thee 
' Are Alexander and the friend of Ares 
' Prince Menelaus : and whiche'er may beat, — 
' His beloved consort shalt thou then be called. " 
Into her heart— the goddess, as she spake, 
Put a sweet yearning after her first husband, 

140 Her city, and her parents. And forthwith 
Covering herself with white fine linen veil, 
As she let fall a tender tear, she hasted 

* Helen's character should be judged of from Homer's account only, and not from 
the account of Ovid, or of any subsequent poet. 



book r. 



75 



From forth her chamber ; not alone howe'er ; 
With her two handmaids went in close attendance. 
The large-eyed Clymene, and Pittheus' daughter — 
Aithre. Then presently they came, where stood 
The Scaian gates. And there, — about king Priam 
And Lampos, Panthoos, and lord Icetaon — 
A scion of Ares, Clytios and Thymoites, — 
Were also sitting at the Scaian gates 
Those Elders of the people, both sage men, 
Antenor and Ucalegon, — stopped now 
From warfare through old age ; but in assembly 
Good speakers were they ; like e'en unto crickets, 
That haunt the woods and, sitting on a tree, 
Send forth their chirping, # lily-like for sweetness. 
Such of the Trojan people were the Leaders 
Now sitting at the tower. Now when they saw 
Helen thus coming to the tower, they whispered 
One unto other, low, in winged words : — 
" No ground for anger is there, that the Trojans 
' And fair-greaved Argives undergo distress, 
1 So long a time, for a woman Such as this : 
1 Like unto Deathless goddesses in face 
' Strangely she is : nathless, — though such she be, 
1 E'en home again on board ship let her sail, 
160 ' And let her not remain a Bane to Us 

< And to our sons hereafter ! " Spake they thus : — 

Priam meanwhile aloud called Helen to him : 

" Hither, dear child ! by Me now come and sit, 

1 Whence mayst thou see thy former lord, and friends, 

1 And kinsmen : — (no- wise chargeable with blame 

* See Kirby and Spence (Introduction to Entomology) for an interesting account 
f this tree-cricket, or Tettix, and its musical powers. 



76 THE ILIAD. III. 

6 In my sight art thou : 'tis the gods forsooth 
165 ' Cause all my troubles, for 'tis They have sent 

* The Achaian War with many tears upon me :) — 

* And yon huge man, do tell me now his name, — 
6 Who is the Achaian man thus goodly and tall : 

1 Others there are yea taller sure in stature ; 
1 But not yet seen have I before mine eyes 
' A chief so comely, nor so worshipful ; 
170 ' For sure the King he seems." Then answered him 
Helen, the fair of womankind, and said : — 
" Both reverend art thou and awful unto me, 
' Dear father-in-law : that a sorry death 
' Had pleased me rather, when I came, Alas, 

* Yea hither with thy son, and left behind me 

i My marriage-bed, my kin, my dear-loved daughter, 
175 ' And the sweet fellowship of same-aged friends. 
1 But so, Alas, 't was not : wherefore yea wailing 
' I pine away. But what thou enquirest of me 
' With such close questioning I'll tell thee now : 
' This is Atreides, broad-realmed Agamemnon, — 
' A good king, and bold warrior, — both together ; 
1 And Was, — if e'er 't were possible at least, — 
180 ' Brother-in-law, — yea, of this hound-faced Me." 
She spake : and Him did He, the old man, admire, 
And said aloud : — " happy son of Atreus, 
' Child of Destiny,— of Blessed lot ! 
6 Sons of Achaians yea full many indeed 
s Are come beneath thy sway ! Ere now forsooth 
' Into the vine-clad Phrygia have I been, 
185 ' Wherein I saw the Phrygian men, full many, 

' With dappled horses, troops of god-like Mygdon 

* And Otreus, when along the banks of Sangar 



book r. 



77 



1 Encamped were they : for I too was a Helper 

* And 'naongst them was I reckoned, on that day 
1 When the Amazons, a match for men, came thither. 
1 But yet e'en They were not so many, as These 

L90 ' Quick-eyed Achaians." Then a second time 
The old king, at seeing Odusseus, asked again : 
" Come tell me Yonder one, dear child, who's He? 
1 Shorter than Agamemnon, Atreus' son, 

* In stature is he, but more broad in shoulders 
'And chest to look upon. His fighting gear 
' Lies on the bosky Earth ; and he himself, 
1 Like a pet ram, to and fro is going about 
' 'Mongst the men's ranks : yes I sure liken him 
'To some young thick-fleeced, full-grown ram, that roves 
'Throughout an ample flock of white-woolled ewes." 
Anon then answered him the Jove-sprung Helen : 
"He now, again, he's Liiertiades 
1 Odusseus ever-ready, who was reared 
' In the isle of Ithaca, surpassing rugged, — 
1 And skilled is he in all manner of crafty wiles 

* And cunning plans." Then answered her Antenor 
Of prudent spirit : " woman, a true word 
' Right sure is this thou say'st : for on a time 

205 ' E'en hither upon a message about Thee 
'The prince Odusseus came, with Menelaus 
' Favoured of Ares : them did I receive 
' And kindly entertained within my halls ; 
1 Whereby I came to know the goodly stature 
' And the sage counsels of them both. But sure, 
' When mingled were they 'mong the assembled Trojans, 

210 ' Above them all that stood did Menelaus 

' Rear his broad shoulders : — seated both howe'er, — 



78 THE ILIAD. III. 

' Odusseus was more worshipful. But then, 
' When before all they put their words together 
' And counsels,— of a surety Menelaus 
1 Did trippingly hold forth, — few words indeed, 
' But very clear, since not a wordy talker, 

215 ' Nor random speaker was he, though forsooth 
i In age he was the younger. When howe'er 
* Odusseus ever-ready started up, 
' He used to stand, eyes fixed upon the ground, 
' And look askance the while, and neither forwards 
1 Nor backwards did he use to sway his sceptre ; 
i But motionless he kept it, like a man 

220 ' All ignorant : and sure some wrathful one, 

6 And a mere witless fool, thou mightst have thought him : 

i But when forsooth he sent from forth his chest 

' His mighty voice, and words, gentle as flakes 

' Of snow in winter, — not might other mortal 

' Vie with Odusseus then indeed : no longer 

' Then so astonied were we, as we looked 

225 ' Upon the comely fashion of Odusseus. " 

A third time now the old king, at seeing Ajax, 

Enquired : " And Who's yon other Argive chief, 

1 Both goodly and stout, o'ertopping all the Achaians, — 

' Head and broad shoulders ?" Straight then answered him 

The long-robed Helen, fair of woman-kind : 

" Ajax is That, the Huge, the Achaians' Fence ; 

230 ' And standing yonder is Idomeneus, 

' Godlike, amongst his Cretans ; and around him 
i Gathered together stand the Cretans' leaders. 
( Oft in our house, whene'er he came from Crete, 
1 Has Menelaus, loved of Ares, given him 
' A kindly welcome. Now too indeed I see 



book r. 79 

1 All the other quick-eyed Argives, whom right well 

235 ' I sure should know, and sure could tell each name : 
i Two renowned marshallers of hosts howe'er 
' I cannot see, Castor, tamer of horses, 
1 And Pollux, good at boxing, mine own brethren, 
i Whom both, as also me, one mother bare. 
' Can it then be, they came not with the host 
1 From lovely Lacedsemon ? Or came They 

240 ' Hither forsooth in ships, cleaving the deep, 

1 But now, through fear of all the shame and blame 
1 That rest on Me, they care not here to plunge 
' Into the battle of men?" She spake : but Them 
Already did the bounteous Earth now cover, 
In Lacedsemon, their dear fatherland. 

245 Anon, the heralds through the Town came bringing 
The faith-ensuring pledges of the gods, 
Two lambs, and gladdening wine, fruit of the Earth, 
In goatskin bottle ; and the herald Idaios 
Brought a fair brilliant bowl and golden goblets. 
Before the old king he stopped and thus aroused him : — 
" Son of Laomedon, Arise ! the princes 

250 ' Both of the brass-mailed Argives and of Trojans, 
' Tamers of horses, — now do summon thee 
' To come, that we may make a faithful treaty 
' With solemn sacrifice, on yonder plain : 
' And then with lengthy spears will Alexander, 
1 And Menelaus, loved of Ares, fight 
' About the woman : and whiche'er shall beat, — 

255 ' With Him shall go the woman and h^r havings : 
' And let the rest, with solemn sacrifice 
1 And faithful oath make peace, so may we dwell 
1 In Troy's rich cloddy land ; and They may sail 



80 THE ILIAD. III. 

1 Home to horse-pasturing Argos, and to Achaia, 
' The land of comely women." Spake he thus : 
Whereat the old man — he shuddered ; yet he bade 

260 His comrades yoke the horses : and his bidding 

They quickly obeyed. Then upstepped Priam, and back 
Held the drawn rein ; and up beside him mounted 
Antenor to the beauteous chariot-board. 
And through the Scaian gates their nimble horses 
Forth drove they to the plain. Soon as they reached 
The Trojans and Achaians, from their chariot 

265 They alighted on the bosky earth, and walked 
In midst between the Trojans and Achaians. 
Then straightway Agamemnon, chief of chieftains, 
Arose, and up rose ever-ready Odusseus ; 
Whereat the noble heralds brought together 
The faith-ensuring pledges of the gods, 
And wine they mingled in the mixing-bowl, 

270 And water poured they on the sovereigns' hands : 
Then with his hands Atreides drew the knife 
That by his sword's great scabbard always hung, — 
And therewithal the lambs' forelocks he severed : 
And to the Trojan and the Achaian princes 
The heralds dealt them out : anon Atreides 

275 Uplifting both his hands, prayed thus aloud : 

"Zeus father, most glorious, most mighty ! 
* Guardian of Ida ! And thou Sun-god, Helios, 
' Who eyest all things, and who hearest all ! 
' Ye Rivers too and thou Earth, and Ye below, 
i Who there chastise mankind, the dead deceased, 
' Whoe'er false oath has taken, — Witnesses 

280 ' Be Ye, and Guardians of our faithful oaths : 
1 If Alexander slay prince Menelaus, — 



BOOK r. 81 

4 Then Helen let him keep and all her havings, 

1 And We'll sail home, in our sea-cleaving ships : 

' If howe'er Menelaus, the yellow-haired, 

4 Shall slay prince Alexander, then are Trojans 

4 To give back Helen again and all her havings, 

4 And pay to the Argives compensation, fitting, 

' Which to our folk shall sure belong, e'en ever. 

' To me howe'er if Priam and Priam's sons 

' Choose not to pay — (should Alexander fall) — 

1 The compensation, —here will I sure stop 

1 Thenceforth, and keep on fighting for the quittance, 

4 Until I reach the issue of the War." 

He said ; and severed with the ruthless knife 

The gullets of the lambs : then down he laid them 

Bereft of life, all quivering, on the ground ; 

For the keen brass took all their strength away. 

Then drew they wine from forth the mixing-bowl 

Into the cups, and forthwith prayed the gods, 

The everliving : and on this wise spake 

Each one amongst both Trojans and Achaians : 

" All ye deathless gods, and thou, Zeus, 

4 Most glorious, — mightiest ! Whichso of these two hosts 

4 Shall first break, wrongful, through our solemn treaty, — 

' May Thus their brains, yea theirs and all their children's, 

4 E'en as this wine, gush forth upon the ground, 

1 And may their wives be given to other men." 

They thus : accomplishment howe'er not yet 

Did Chronides vouchsafe them. Presently 

Spake Priam Dardanides this word before them : 

" Hear me, ye Trojans and ye fair-greaved Argives ! 

4 Back unto airy Ilion I forsooth 

4 Now go ; since never can I bear to see 

6 



B2. THE ILIAD. III. 

6 Before mine eyes the battle of my dear son 
' With Menelaus, favoured one of Ares. 
' Sure Zeus, I ween, and all the deathless gods 
6 Know This at least, — for whichso of the twain 
' The term of death is fated." Spake he thus ; 

810 And into his chariot straight the godlike man 

Laid both the lambs ; then up he stepped, and back 
Held the drawn reins, till mounted also Antenor 
Beside him on the beauteous chariot-board. 
So wheeled they about and went away to Ilion. 
Then Hector, son of Priam, — and prince Odusseus 

315 Measured out first the ground, and then took lots, 
And shook them in a dog-skin cap, brass-fitted ; 
To learii which foremost of the twain should hurl 
His brazen javelin. And the troops all prayed 
Unto the gods, and lifted up their hands ; 
And 'twas on this wise each one spake and all 
Of Trojans and Aehaians ;— " Father Zeus, 

320 ' Guardian of Ida, — most glorious, mightiest f 
1 Which of the twain soe'er has brought about 
' These heayy doings twixt both the hosts, — grant 
• i Him to be slain and plunge into the abode 
' Of Hades ; and be ours a solemn treaty 
/And bond of friendship." Spake they thus r whereat 
The mighty Hector of the glancing helm, 

325 Looking behind him, cast the lots : and quickly 
Forth leapt the lot of Paris. Then in lines 
They sat, each man beside his prancing horses, 
And where his inwrought armour lay. But He, 
Prince Alexander, fair-tressed Helen's lord, 
Put on his goodly harness thwart his shoulders. 

330 First round his legs he laid his eomely greaves, 



BOOK I\ 83 

Fitted with silver clasps above his ankles : 
Next then about his chest he donned the corslet 
Of prince Lycaon ; for his brother's corslet 
Did fit him : then with belt athwart his shoulders 
He slung his brazen, silver-studded sword ; 

335 And then his buckler, strong at once and ample : 
And on his mighty head he set his helm, 
Fair-wrought, bedecked with horse-tail ; and the crest 
Down from a-top thereof all grimly nodded. 
Then his brave spear, that fitted well his grasp, 
He took in hand. So likewise did the warrior 
Prince Menelaus also don his harness. 

340 Now when from forth each host they thus were armed, 
Looking all grim, they strode in battle array 
Into the midst twixt Trojans and Achaians. 
And strange amazement seized on all beholders, 
Horse-taming Trojans and fair-greaved Achaians. 
So now at hand within the measured ground, 
Each bearing grudge at other, stood they twain, 

345 And poised their spears and moved them to and fro. 
Now Alexander first launched His long spear, 
And smote upon Atreides' gallant buckler, 
At all points good ; wherethrough the brass brake not ; 
But back upon the stubborn shield was bent 
The point thereof: anon with brazen weapon 
The other chief, Atreides Menelaus, 

350 Bestirred himself, and prayed to father Zeus : — 

" Lord Zeus ! vouchsafe me now to avenge myself 
On him, who first wrought wickedness against me, 
Prince Alexander ; and bow him down 
Beneath my hands ; that any of all mankind, 
E'en those as yet unborn, may shrink w r ith horror- - 



84 THE ILIAD. III. 

' From working wickedness against a friend, — 

355 ' The Host, — who has given him kindly entertainment." 
He spake ; and poised the lengthy spear, — drawn back, — 
Launched it, and smote the shield, good at all points, 
Of prince Priamides. Whereat indeed 
The weighty spear pierced through the brilliant shield, 
And through his corslet, richly dight, was planted : . 
Cut did the spear right through his coat of mail, 

360 Beside his flank twixt hip and rib : but He, 
He bent aside, and so 'scaped gloomy Death, 
Anon, the son of Atreus plucked him forth 
His silver-studded sword, raised it aloft, 
And smote the foeman's helmet-peak : — whereon, 
In pieces three and four from out his hand, 
Shattered it fell. Whereat out-wailed Atreides, 

365 Eyeing the vasty heaven : — " father Zeus ! 

* Mischievous more than thou sure is none other 

' Of all the gods ! I thought indeed to avenge me 

' On Alexander for his wickedness : — 

' But shattered in my hands is now my sword : 

' And launched from forth my grasp, gone is my spear 

' In vain, and Him I have not hit. ' He spake ; 

370 Then darted on and seized him by the helmet 

Bushy with horse- hair, — turned about, — and now 
Was dragging him toward the fair-greaved Argives : 
And sorely did the rich-embroidered thong, 
The helmet's throaHash, which beneath his chin 
Was at full stretch, now press his tender throat. 
Sure then both dragged him off had He, and gained 
A countless glory, — but that Aphrodite, 

375 Daughter of Zeus, with eyesight sharp, perceived it, 
And burst the chin-strap, made from hide of bull 



BOOK r. 85 

Slain in full strength : whereat the helmet, empty, 
Together with the sturdy hand still followed. 
Then, swinging it around, the chieftain tossed it 
To his fair-greaved Argives ; where his trusty mates 
Soon picked it up. But back again rushed He 

380 Full bent on slaughtering him with brazen spear : 
But Aphrodite readily with all ease, — 
As can a goddess, — rescued him, and hid 
In a thick darksome haze ; and set him down 
Within his fragrant chamber, sweet-perfumed. 
Forth went she then herself to summon Helen * 
And her she found upon the lofty tower ; 
And Trojan ladies plenty were about her : 

385 Then of her nectarous garment took she hold, 

And shook it with her hand ; and straight addressed her, 
Likening herself to an aged, ancient dame 
Well-skilled in dressing wool, who used to card her 
Her beauteous wools erewhile, what time she lived 
In Lacedaemon, and who loved her much : 
Such likeness now the goddess Aphrodite 

390 Donned, and addressed her : — " Hither come ! come home ; 
1 Lord Alexander calls thee : yonder is He, 
' Brilliant in comeliness and fine apparel, 
• Within the chamber, on his lathe-turned bed ; 
1 Nor mightst thou think that now returned was He 
1 From fighting with a man : but how to a dance 
1 Forth was he going rather ; or from dance 

395 ' Just leaving off and sitting down." She spake : 
And stirred the lady's heart within her breast. 
Yet sure now when she espied the goddess' neck 
Surpassing comely, and her breasts delightsome, 
And sparkling eyes, — forthwith she was astonied, 



86 THE ILIAD. III. 

And spake this word and uttered it aloud : — 
" Madam ! why thus art longing to cajole me? 
400 ' Wouldst lead me further still, to some fair Towns, 
Lovely Mseonia's pleasant Towns, or Phrygia's, — 
If also There 'inongst language-gifted men 
Some dear one hast thou ? Is't that Menelaus, — 
Now that he has beaten here prince Alexander, — 
Wishes to take to himself this hateful Me, 
Home with him ? is 't on this account forsooth 
405 ' Thou standest wily-minded here before me ? 

By Him — go take thy seat ! as for the gods, — 
Renounce their ways ! and witli those feet of thine 
Return no more to Olympus ; but for ever 
Go wail for Him, — watch Him, — until perchance 
Either his wife or bondslave he shall make thee. 
But thither ! — 'twere enough to make one wroth ! 
410 * I'll not go thither to prepare His bed ! 

' Thenceforth blame me would all the Trojan women ; 
And endless pangs at heart I endure already." 
Unto her then the goddess Aphrodite 
In wrath spake thus : " Anger me not, Cruel ! 
' Lest all in wrath I abandon thee ; and hate thee 
' Utterly, yea as much, as past all measure 
415 ' I now have loved thee ; and amid both sides 
' I bring about against thee a baneful hatred : 
1 And haply a sorry death so shouldst thou perish." 
She spake : and Jove-sprung Helen was afeared. 
Then covered she herself with white, bright robe, 
And went, — in silence ; and escaped the notice 
Of all the Trojan ladies : for the goddess 
420 Led her the way. And now, when they were come 
To Alexander's passing fair abode, — 



•: book P. 8/ 

Quickly the handmaids turned them to*tkeir business, 

And She, the fair of womankind, went up 

•Into the high-roofed chamber ; where for Her 

The goddess-queen of Smiles, fair Aphrodite, 

Soon fetched a couch and brought and set it down 

Facing prince Alexander : there down sat 

Helen, the daughter of JEgis-bearing Zeus, 

Turning her eyes aside ; and with this word 

She chid her lord : " Thou hast come from out the combat ; 

1 'Would hadst thou perished there upon the spot, 

1 Slain by that doughty Warrior, My first lord. 

i Sure now wast wont, afore at least, to boast 

' That in Thy bodily strength, and hands, and spear 

1 Thou wast a better man than Menelaus, 

' The loved of Ares : but go challenge now 

' Ares-loved Menelaus yet again 

' To fight thee face to face ! Yet / exhort thee 

* Have done with that, and fight not thou in combat, 

' Nor battle thou with yellow-haired Menelaus, 

' Recklessly ; lest perchance beneath his spear 

' Thou quickly be bowed down." Then unto Her 

Spake Paris thus in answer : " Chide me not, 

6 woman, with reproaches hard to bear. 

- For beaten indeed has Menelaus Now 

' By Athene's help : but /'ll beat Him hereafter : 

I For upon Our side also are there gods. 

i But come now, — unto wedlock turn we and love : 
' For never once has Love so enwrapped my senses, — 
' Not e'en when first from lovely Lacedsemon 

I I snatched thee away and sailed with thee in ships 
1 Cleaving the deep, and joined me unto thee, — 

1 In the isle of Cranae,—in love and wedlock, — 



88: THE ILIAD. III. 

445 ' As Now I love thee and sweet desire o'ercomes me. % 
He spake ; and couch-ward led the way, and with him 
His consort followed : so to sleep together 
They laid theru down upon the lathe-wrought bed. 
Meanwhile, Atreides all about the throng 
Went to and fro, like as a savage beast, 
If haply might he anywhere descry 

450 The godlike Alexander : but not one, 

Whether of Trojans or their famed allies, 

Could point out Paris Then to Menelaus, 

The friend of Ares : for not hidden him 

Had they forsooth, through love at least, had haply 

Any one seen him : for amongst them all 

Hateful was he become as gloomy Death. 

455 Then outspake thus amongst them Agamemnon 
The Chief of chieftains : " Hear ye me, Trojans, 
' And Dardans, and ye allies I The mastery indeed 
' Is clearly shewn on side of Menelaus, 
6 The friend of Ares : You then, — Give ye up 
The Argive Helen, and all her havings with her ; 
' And pay the compensation, as 'tis fitting ; 

460 ' Which to our folk shall sure belong, e'en ever/* 
So spake Atreides : and thereat with shout 
Approved the Achaians all,— the host throughout. 



book A. 89 



ARGUMENT OF THE FOURTH BOOK. A. 

The Fall of Ilion is unwillingly granted by Zens to Here : to which end 
Athene incites Pandarns to break the treaty by shooting an arrow at 
Menelaus and wounding him. Machaon heals his wound. Agamemnon 
inspects his army, and exhorts, — praising some, — rebuking others. A 
battle takes place, in which many are killed on both sides. 

DEL TA : the breach of treaty : the Argive Chief 
In haste reviews his troops : fighting begins. 



The gods meanwhile before high Zeus were seated 
In full assembly upon the golden pavement : 
Handing them nectar was the lady Hebe ; 
And in their golden cups they pledged each other, 
Looking the while upon the Trojans' Town. 
5 Anon then Chronides, with taunting words, 
Threw in a wily speech, and tried to stir 
The wrath of Here : u So then, Menelaus 
1 Has of the goddesses forsooth tw r o Helpers, — 
1 Both Here of Argos, and the Strong Defender 
'Athene : yet aloof indeed keep They, 
1 All idly looking on and making merry : 
10 c But lo, the queen of Smiles, fair Aphrodite 
1 Sticks ever close to Paris, and from Him 
c Wards off his violent doom : and now again 
1 Rescued him has she, when he thought to die. 
'Yet sure to Menelaus, loved of Ares, 



90 THE ILIAD. IV. 

i Belongs the mast'ry : but consult we now 
' How shall this business be : whether indeed 

15 ' Again shall we stir up this troublous War, 
' And the dread battle-cry ; or shall we put 
' Friendship between both sides. If indeed pleasant 
'Unto you all 'tis thus and to your liking, 
' Then forsooth let king Priam's Town be kept 
' Still an abode ; and let prince Menelaus 
' Take Argive Helen with him home again." 

20 He spake : whereat both Here and Athene 

Murmured ; for They were sitting close together, 
And were devising mischief 'gainst the Trojans. 
Now silent was Athene and uttered nothing, — 
Sullen and angry with her father Zeus ; 
And savage wrath gat hold on Her : but Here ■* 
Could not contain the wrath within Her breast, 

25 But thus addressed him : " Terriblest Chronides ! 

6 What manner of word is this thou say'st ? How wishest 

' To make my work all fruitless, — and the sweat, 

6 Wherein with toil I 've sweated,-— profitless ? 

' And wearied are my horses with my gathering 

' Yon host together, charged with woe to Priam 

1 And to the sons of Priam. Do ! But i' faith — 

30 ' Not All the other gods will side with thee ! " 
Whereat in heavy wrath cloud-gatherer Zeus 
Thus answered her : " Now, Madam,— How does Priam 
' And how do Priam's sons wrong Thee so much, — 
' That hotly thus thou'rt bent on the utter ruin 
' Of Ilion's fair-built Town? now sure wast Thou 
6 To go within those gates and lofty walls, 

35 ' And eat up Priam all raw, and Priam's sons, 
' And all the Trojans,— haply then thy wrath 



BOOK A. 91 

■ Thou mights t appease. Do, as thou wilt, at once ; 

' Let not this quarrel prove to me and thee 

1 A mighty strife hereafter twixt us both. 

1 Yet else howe'er I '11 tell thee, and in thy heart 

1 Ponder it thou : — whene'er I too perchance 

1 Shall choose, full fain, to lay in utter waste 

1 That Town, wherein folk dear to Thee are living,— 

' Thwart not my wrath a whit, but Let me alone : 

4 For granted unto Thee have I yea willing, 

4 Though with unwilling heart. For sure by me, — 

4 Of all the Towns of men on face of Earth 

4 That lie beneath the Sun and starry heaven, — 

' Esteemed was sacred Ilion in my heart 

4 Surpassing measure,— as was also Priam, 

' Doughty with ashen spear, and all Priam's folk. 

' For never did mine altar ]ack brave banquet,— 

4 Drink-offering, or the steam of sacrifice : 

4 For This is Our allotted gift of honour." 

Then answered him the large-eyed lady Here : 

" Sure now to me Three Towns are far the dearest, — 

' Argos,— and Sparta,— and broad-wayed Mycene. 

' Lay These in utter waste, yea whensoe'er 

4 Unto thy soul they 're hateful. In defence 

' I stand not up for Them, not I, — nor grudge. 

4 For even if I grudge them, and forbid 

' To lay them waste, sure nothing do I gain 

' By grudge to thee ; since much art thou the stronger. 

4 Yet also My toil it behoves thee not 

4 To render issue-less ; for / am a goddess, 

4 And from whence Thy race, — thence is also Mine, 

' And wily Chronos gave me being, me eldest, — 

1 Foremost at once in age as well as rank, 



92 THE ILIAD. IV. 

' For that I'm called Thy wife ; and lord art Thou 
' 'Mongst all the Deathless. But now Let us yield 
' In these things, each to other, — I to Thee, — 
' And Thou to Me ; and the other Deathless gods 
1 Will follow us. But quick, charge Thou Athene 
'To hie down to the horrible battle-din 

65 i Of Trojans and Achaians, and to try, — 

' So that the Trojans be the first and foremost 
t To break the solemn treaty, and do damage 
' To the renowned Achaians. " Spake she thus : 
And unto her the Sire of men and gods 
Was not unyielding : straight in winged words 
He thus addressed Athene : "Hie, all speed, 

70 ' Down to yon host, —to Trojans and Achaians, 
i And try, — that so the Trojans be the first 
i To break the solemn treaty, and do mischief 
' To the renowned Achaians." With these words 
Forth spurred he Athene, prompt already ; and down 
She darted from Olympus' tops and went. * 

75 As when the son of wily Chronos hurls 

A meteor — brilliant — forth, a sign to sailors, 
Or to large host of soldiers ; and therefrom 
Discharged is many a spark ; — like unto such 
Athene Pallas darted to the ground, 
And leapt down in the midst : whereat amazement 

80 Seized all beholders,— both horse-taming Trojans, 
And fair-greaved Argives. And anon some one, 
Eyeing his nearest mate the while, spake thus : 



a 



Either again shall be both toilsome fight 



1 And horrible battle-din ; or, 'twixt both sides 
4 Zeus, the Controller of all War 'mongst men, 
' Is here ordaining friendship." In such sort 



BOOK J. 93 

85 Spake many a one of Trojans and Achaians. 
Meanwhile, like unto a man, — (Laodocus 
Antenor's son, a spearman bold) — she plunged 
Into the Trojans' throng, — seeking about 
For godlike Pandaros, if might she find him 
Somewhere perchance : anon she found the chief, — 
Lycaon's son, both blemishless and sturdy, 
90 Standing, and round him w r ere the sturdy troops 
Of shielded men, who from Aisepos' river 
Had followed him : now drew she near and thus 
In winged words addressed him : " Wouldst thou heed me 
Just for a word, bold Lycaonides ? 
Sure mightst thou take upon thyself to send 
A speedy arrow forth at Menelaus ! 
95 ' For so 'midst all the Trojans mightst thou win 
Thanks and renown, and with prince Alexander 
Most chiefly of all : from Him foremost of all 
Earn shouldst thou splendid gifts, — might but he see 
The war-chief Menelaus, Atreus' son, 
Slain by a shaft of Thine, and him upmounted 
Upon his mournful funeral-pyre. Then come, 
Shoot now a shaft at glorious Menelaus : 
And make a vow to Lycian-born Apollo, 
Renowned Archer-god, — that when returned 
Home to Zeleia's sacred Town, thou'lt offer 
A famous hecatomb of firstling lambs." 
So spake Athene ; and moved the wits of Him, 
The witless fool ! Straight from its case he plucked 
His polished bow, — made from wild ebeck-goat, # 
Which on a time beneath the breast he hit, — 
"Watching in ambush for his coming forth 

* The ibex. 



94 THE ILIAD. IV. 

From off a rock, — and wounded him to the heart ; 
And down he fell, up-turned, upon the rock. 
Full sixteen palms in length from out his head 
Grown were his horns : and these a craftsman wrought 

110 Cunning in horn-work, and put fast together, 

And well-smoothed all, and tipped with crook of gold. 
This now he rested on the ground and strung it, 
And carefully laid down : his ready comrades 
Before him held their shields, lest haply 'gainst him 
The Achaians' doughty sons might rush on sudden, 
Ere might he shoot the war-chief Menelaus, 

115 The Achaians' champion. Now from off his quiver 
He snatched the lid ; and took a feathered arrow, 
As yet unused, therefrom, — a winged link 
Of darksome pains : and speedily he fitted 
The bitter shaft upon the string, and vowed 
To Lycian-born Apollo, the famed Archer, 
To offer him a famous hecatomb 

120 Of firstling lambs, whene'er should he return 
Home to Zeleia's sacred Town again. 
Now took he hold and pulled at once both notch 
And oxhide thong ; — the bowstring to his nipple, 
And the iron point up to the arch, he drew. 
Soon as he had strained the mighty bow to a circle, — 
Twanged then the bow, and sang the bowstring loud, 

125 And leapt the arrow forth, sharp-pointed, eager 
For flying o'er the throng to reach its mark. 
But not, Menelaus, were the gods, 
The Deathless happy ones, of Thee forgetful : 
And foremost was the Forager, Jove's daughter, 
Who stood before thee and kept the keen shaft off. 
Indeed as far she turned it from his body, 



BOOK J. 95 

130 As a babe's mother drives away a fly, 

What time the child is lulled in balmy slumber. 
So thither now she guided it herself 
Just where the golden belt-clasps held together, 
E'en where the corslet met, — thereby two-fold : 
Thus fell the bitter arrow on the belt 
Well-clasped together. Driven indeed it was 

135 Right through the belt of curious handiwork, 
And planted through the corslet richly dight, 
And through the band he w 7 ore for body-guard, — 
Defence 'gainst javelins, — and which warded off 
Full many a hurt, yea through e'en that it went, 
And the arrow grazed the chieftain's outmost skin. 

140 And blood forthwith flowed dark from out the wound. 
As when some Carian or Mseonian woman 
Dyes ivory dark w T ith purple for a cheek-piece 
Of horse's bridle ; and 'tis treasured up 
In store-room ; and full many a charioteer 
Prays for the wearing of it ; but the jewel 
Is treasured for the king's delight,— at once 

145 His horse's garnish, and the driver's glory ; — 
In such sort stained with blood, Menelaus, 
Were now thy goodly thighs, and both thy legs, 
And comely ankles down below. Forthwith 
The Chief of chieftains, Agamemnon, shuddered, 
Soon as he saw the cloudy blood down-flowing 
From out the wound : and Menelaus also 

150 Himself, the well-beloved of Ares, shuddered. 
But when he saw the arrow-cord and barbs 
To be outside, — re-gathered was the spirit 
Into his heart again. Anon the king 
Lord Agamemnon heavily groaned and spake, 



96 THE ILIAD. IV. 

Holding meanwhile the hand of Menelaus ; 
And groaning also were his friends around : 

155 " Dear brother ! sure thy death now have I wrought 
' In making truce, and setting thee thus forth 
' Single to fight for the Argives 'gainst the Trojans : 
1 Thus have the Trojans wounded thee, and trampled 
' Upon the solemn treaty. Not indeed 
' Fruitless shall be the oath,— the blood of lambs, — 
' The unmixed libations, — and the right-hand pledges, — 

160 ' Wherein we trusted. For although the Olympian 
' Has not forthwith fulfilled, — he does fulfil, 
1 Throughly, though late : and penalty they pay 
1 Yea with a heavy loss, with their own heads, 
' Their wives and children. For in heart and soul, 
4 0, / know this full well : the day shall be, 
' When sacred Ilion shall at length be ruined, 

165 ' And Priam, and the people of spear-famed Priam. 
' And Zeus Chronion, throned on high, who dwells 
' Aloft in heaven, all wroth at this their trick, 
6 Himself shall shake his iEgis, terrible, 
' Against them all ; indeed not unaccomplished 
' Shall these things be : — but deep shall be my sorrow 
' For thee, Menelaus, shouldst thou die, 

170 ' And here fill up the measure of thy life : 

' And whelmed in deepest shame should I then go 

' To Argos' thirsty land. For the Achaians 

( Would straight be thinking of their fatherland ; 

' And Argive Helen should we leave behind 

' To be a boast for Priam and all the Trojans ; 

1 While Earth should have the mouldering of thy bones 

175 ' Laid here in Troy ; — the Work too unaccomplished. 
' Then haply some one of those saucy Trojans 



BOOK J. 97 

1 Should leap on glorious Menelaus' tomb 

1 And say on this wise : " may Agamemnon 

" In all things glut his anger, as even now 

" Hither in vain he brought the Achaians' host; 

" And now has left bold Menelaus here, 

180 " And gone home to his own dear fatherland 

u With empty ships : " — so haply should they say ; 
'Then, then for Me may the Earth yawn wide!" 
Yellow-haired Menelaus cheered him then, 
And said : " Take heart ; and no-wise frighten yet 
' The Achaians' host : the keen shaft is not fixed 

185 ' In vital place; but both the embroidered belt 
1 In front, and under it the corslet-skirt, 
'And band, which crafty copper-workers wrought, 
' Have guarded me/' Anon lord Agamemnon 
Answered him thus and said : " Ah 'would now indeed 
1 It may be so, my dear-loved Menelaus ! 

190 i But a chirurgeon soon shall probe the wound, 
'And lay on drugs, to calm the darksome pain." 
He spake ; then straight addressed the sacred herald 
Talthybius : " Haste, Talthybius, with all speed, 
1 And call Machaon hither, that good man, 
' Son of Asclepios the renowned chirurgeon, 
1 That he may see the champion of the Achaians, 

195 'Ares-loved Menelaus, whom some one, 
' Trojan or Lycian, skilled in bowmanship, 
' Has shot with shaft and hit : to Him a glory, 
* To Us howe'er sad grief." He spake : whereat 
The herald heard, and was not slack to obey ; 
But through the host of brazen-mailed Achaians 
Away he went, looking the while around 

200 For lord Machaon : and anon he spied him 

7 



98 THE ILIAD. IV. 

Standing, and round him were the sturdy ranks 

Of shielded soldiers who had followed him 

From forth horse-pasturing Tricca. Drawing near, 

He thus accosted him in winged words : 

" Bestir thee, Asclepiades! the king, 

' Lord Agamemnon, bids thee come and see 

205 ' Ares-loved Menelaus, Atreus' son, 

' Whom some one, of the Trojans or the Lycians, 
' Well-skilled in bowmanship has hit with arrow ; 
6 To Him a glory, but to Us sad grief. " 
He spake : and thereby stirred the chieftain's heart 
Within his breast : so through the throng they sped 
Their way amid the Achaians' wide-spread host. 

210 And when they came where stood the wounded chief, 
Yellow-haired Menelaus, and about him 
Were gathered all the noblest in a circle, 
Then to the midst went He, the god-like man, 
Up to the chief, and forthwith drew the shaft 
From out the close-clasped belt : and the keen barbs 
Were broken backwards in the drawing out. 

215 Then both his broidered belt and, under it, 

The corslet-skirt he undid, and loosed the band 
Which copper-smiths had wrought. At seeing the wound 
Where the sharp shaft had struck, — the blood forthwith 
He squeezed thereout, and on it deftly sprinkled 
Assuaging drugs, which erewhile unto his father 
Oheiron had given, with kindly thoughts towards him. 

220 Now while about the doughty Menelaus 

All busied were they thus, — on came the ranks 

Of shielded Trojans : whereupon in haste 

They donned again their harness, and bethought them 

Of battle-strife. Then not mightst thou have seen 



f 



book A. 99 

Prince Agamemnon sleepy, neither cowering. 

Neither unwilling for the fight : but eager 

In haste to join the man-ennobling battle. 

For now his brass-decked chariot and his horses 

He left aside : and of the snorting steeds 

His page Eurymedon took charge apart,— 

The son of Ptolemaios, son of Peiras. 

Him did he straitty bid to keep hard by him, 

As haply weariness might seize his limbs, 

In going his round for ordering of so many. 

On foot then to the ranks of men went He 

Viewing them all in order; and whome'er 

Of all the swift-horsed Danaans did he see 

In eager haste, them specially he cheered 

And thus accosted : " Argives ! Slack ye not 

' Your eager boldness ever a whit ; for not 

1 Will father Zeus give aid on side of lies ! 

' But whosoe'er against the solemn treaty 

' Have first done wrong, sure shall their tender flesh 

' By vultures be devoured ; and take will We 

' Their loving wives and infant babes away 

'Home in our ships, whene'er we've won their Town." 

Then whom he saw slack-handed for the fight, 

Those did he sternly chide with angry words : 

" Argives ! ill-fated ! are ye not ashamed, 

' Ye base bye-words ? Why stand ye thus aghast, 

'Like fawns ? which stand still, wearied out with running 

' O'er a wide plain, and never a whit of boldness 

' Enters their hearts ; —e'en so stand Ye in amaze, 

' And stir not to the battle. Are ye biding 

' The coming of the Trojans near to hand, — 

1 Where all our fair-sterned gallies are drawn up 



100 THE ILIAD. IV. 

1 Here on the grey sea's beach, — to see if o'er you 
1 Will Chronicles hold forth his guardian hand ? " 

250 So with command went He from troop to troop ; 
And passing through the throng of men he came 
Unto the Cretans. They were busy arming, 
About Idomeneus their doughty chief. 
Like as a boar for prowess, in the front 
Was prince Idomeneus : and in the rear 
His hindmost lines Meriones urged on. 

255 Glad was the chief of chieftains Agamemnon, 
At seeing them : anon he thus addressed 
Idomeneus in courteous words : " Sure Thee 
' Bevond all swift-horsed Danaans do I honour, 
' Whether in war, or other manner of business, 
' Or in the banquet, when in mixing-bowls 
' The Achaians' princes mix the sparkling wine, 

260 ' And fill the cup of honour. For indeed 

' Though all the long-haired Argives drink their portion,- 

\ Yet Thy cup stands filled ever up, like mine, 

' For drinking whensoe'er thy soul desires. 

' But to the fight now arouse thee, as of old 

' 'T was aye thy boast to be ! " Straight answered him 

265 Idomeneus, the leader of the Cretans : 

" Atreides ! I'll sure be to thee a comrade 
1 Full trusty, — as at first I pledged and promised. 
' But spur thou the other long-haired Argives on, 
■ For speediest fighting ; since the Trojan host 
' Have set the solemn cov'nant all at nought. 

270 ' But upon Them hereafter shall there be 

' Trouble and Death, for that they've done this wrong 
' Against the solemn treaty." Spake he thus : 
Then onwards went Atreides, glad at heart, 



BOOK A. 101 

And passed along the press of men, and came 
To either Ajax : they too both were arming : 
And a thick cloud of fighting men on foot 

275 Were following them. As when from look-out cliff 
The master goat-herd spies a cloud, approaching 
Athwart the deep 'neath roaring blast of Zephyr ; 
And far off as he stands, to him it seems 
Blacker, yea e'en than pitch, as o'er the deep 
It comes, and brings a mighty hurricane ; 
He sees, and shudders ; and straight drives his flocks 

280 Into a cavern ; — so with either Ajax 

On marched in thick array to the foemen's fight 
The phalanxes of warrior-youths, dark squadrons, 
Bristling with spears and shields. At sight hereof, 
Lord Agamemnon was full glad, and thus 
Accosted them and spake in winged words : 

285 " Ye chiefs of brass-mailed Argives,— either Ajax ! 
1 Not do I urge You Twain (for 'twere not seemly) 
1 To haste a whit : for you yourselves right well 
' Are spurring on your men to fight with boldness, 
' Ah ! father Zeus, Athene, and Apollo ! 
* 'Would were there such a spirit in every breast ! 

290 ' Soon should king Priam's City then be taken, 
' Sacked by our hands, and totter to its fall." 
So saying, he left them there, and went to others : 
He found the Pylians' clear-voiced spokesman, Nestor, 
Ranging his friends, and stirring them to fight : 

295 Huge Pelagon, Alastor too, and Chromios ; 
Lord Hsemon; Bias too, his people's pastor. 
The charioteers he set with horse and chariots 
Foremost, and in their rear both many and good 
On foot, — for bulwark of the fight : and thrust 



102 THE ILIAD. IV. 

Cravens into the midst, that e'en perforce 

300 Fight must they, will or nill. First gave he orders 
Unto the charioteers : them he commanded 
To keep their horses in, and not rush wildly 
Among the throng : " And let not any man, 
' Eelying on his horsemanship and prowess, 
( Alone before the rest be fain to fight 

305 ' Against the Trojans, nor let one withdraw ; 

' For so ye '11 be more pow'rless, And whene'er 

' From his own chariot any man shall come 

' To another car, then let him lunge with spear ; 

\ For so 'tis far the best. E'en thus did They 

' Of olden time, with suchlike mood and spirit 

' Within their breasts, o'erthrow strong walls and Towns. 

310 So urging them was he, the old man, — of yore 
Well-skilled in War : — at sight of whom indeed 
Glad was lord Agamemnon, who addressed him 
In winged words and said : " O Sir I— now would I, 
' That e'en as is the spirit in thy dear heart, 
1 So were thy strength as firm, and that thy knees 
' Could so too do thy bidding : but old age, 

315 'The foe alike to all men, wears thee out. 

8 'Would now instead some other man had That, 
6 And thou wert numbered with our younger sort 1 " 
Anon then the Gerenian horseman, Nestor, 
Answered him thus ; " Atreides ! yea forsooth, 
' I would myself were such as when I slew 
' Prince Ereuthalion : but to humankind 

320 ' The gods vouchsafe not all good gifts at once : 
' If Then I was a youth, and Now upon me 
' Comes Age in turn, — nathless with charioteers 
' I '11 take my place, and urge with word and counsel : 



BOOK A. 103 

' For This is the Elders' privilege of honour : 

6 And men of younger sort will hurl the spear, 

1 Such as indeed are later-born than I, 

' And trust in bodily strength." He spake : — then on, 

Joyful in heart, Atreides went his way. 

The son of Peteos next he found, Menestheus, 

Renowned for charioteering : standing was he, 

And round about him his Athenian comrades, 

Bold masters in the war-shout : near him also 

Standing was prince Odusseus ever-ready ; 

With whom his lines, not easy to be mastered, 

Of Cephalenians round about stood also; 

The battle-shout not yet had Their troops heard : 

And but now moving were the squadrons yonder, 

Of the horse-taming Trojans and of Argives, 

Together stirred for onset : These howe'er 

Stood at ease waiting, till some other column 

Of Argives might come up, to attack the Trojans, 

And of the fight they then would make beginning. 

So now the chief of chieftains, Agamemnon, 

Spied them and chid, and thus in winged words 

Accosted them and said : " son of Peteos, — 

' Son of a Jove-loved king ! and Thou, wily, 

1 Surpassing all in evil tricks ! why stand ye 

1 Crouching aloof, and why for others wait ye ? 

' J Tis more like You forsooth toVe been in comp'ny 

' And stood among the foremost, and to've taken 

1 Part in the hot encounter ! For foremost 

'Yea— to the banquet are ye bidden of me, 

'Whene'er we Achaians make a feast for the Elders. 

\ There to eat roastmeat, and to drink the cup 

1 Of honey-smooth old wine, to heart's content, 



104 THE ILIAD. IV.' 

6 Is pleasant to yon both : ye Now howe'er 
' Would fain look on, yea though ten Argive squadrons 
' With ruthless sword before your eyes were fighting ! " 
Then eyeing him askant, straight answered him 
Odusseus ever-ready : " What, Atreides ! 

350 ' What manner of word escapes thy fence of teeth ? 
' How say'st indeed we're slack of hand for fight? 
' W 7 hene'er we Achaians do rouse up sharp Ares 
' 'Gainst the horse-taming Trojans, — thou shalt see, — 
' If so thou wilt, and if such things concern thee, — 
' Shalt see the father of Telemachu3 
i Mingled in fight among the foremost champions 

355 ' Of the horse-taming Trojans :— but thou talkest 
' Words here of idle wind." Lord Agamemnon, 
Soon as he saw him angered, smiled upon him 
And spake, and thus his word did he gainsay : 
" Laertes' son, Odusseus ever-ready ! 
i Not Thee, Jove-sprung prince, do I chide o'ermuch, 
* Nor urge thee : for I know how in thy dear breast— 

360 ' Well-skilled in kindly counsels is thy heart : 
' For self-same thoughts hast thou, as I myself. 
' But come ; if aught amiss has now been said, 
' We'll make this up amongst ourselves hereafter, 
4 And may the gods make this all stand for nought ! " 
So saying, he left him there, and went to others. 

365 Anon he found the high-souled son of Tydeus, 
Diomed, waiting in his strong-built chariot, 
And horses harnessed : and beside him stood 
Lord Sthenelos, the son of Capaneus. 
Him then at sight the chieftain, Agamemnon, 
Chid, and addressed him thus in winged words : 

370 " Son of the doughty-hearted horseman Tydeus ! 



I 



BOOK A. 105 

All me ! why art thou scared, and why art peering 

Bound on the gangways of the battle-field? 

Crouching in this way did not use to please 

Tydeus forsooth, — but on to fight the foemen 

Rather would he, yea far before his comrades : 

So said, who saw him toiling in the fight : 

For I, for my part, never met, nor saw him : 

But they do say, how he surpassed all others. 

Indeed once came he, — not with war, — but friendly, 

With godlike Polyneices, to Mycene 

For gathering troops ; for at that time encamping 

Were they against the sacred walls of Thebe : 

And hard they begged us give them noble helpers. 

Willing to give were the Argives and agreed, 

E'en as they urged : but Zeus shewed signs ill-omened, 

And turned them from their purpose. So when gone 

Were they, and forward on their road, and now 

Had reached Asopos' grassy banks and rushy, — 

The Achaians thence despatched thy father Tydeus 

On embassage : and on he went ; and found 

The many sons of Cadmus in the palace 

Of his great mightiness Eteocles, 

At feast : — but there, all stranger as he was, 

Not frightened was the chariot-warrior Tvdeus, 

At being alone 'mongst many and stout Cadmeans : 

But he yea challenged them to strive for mastries ; 

And beat them easily every way : such Helper 

To aid him was Athene : but thereat 

Those drivers of swift horses, the Cadmeans, 

Were moved to wrath ; — and at his going away 

They led and set an ambuscade close-packed, 

Fifty young men : and with them were two leaders, — 



106 THE ILIAD. IV. 

' Maion Hairnonides, of godlike fashion, 
395 ' And Lycophontes, warrior staunch in battle, 

* Son of Autophonos. Yet e'en on These 

( Did Tydeus bring to pass a Doom unseemly : 
6 He slew them all, save one he sent alone 
' To return home : 'twas Maion he let go, — 
6 Yielding to marvellous omens from the gods. 
' Such was iEtolian Tydeus : — This howe'er ! 
400 i The son he gat him,— but unworthy match 

' To himself in fight, though readier in the assembly ! " 
He said : to whom spake doughty Diomed 
J\ T ot ever a word,— awe-struck at this rebuke 
From the awful king. Yet answered him the son 
Of glorious Capaneus, and said : " Atreides ! 

* Lie Not ! since know'st thou well to speak the truth ! 
405 ' Far better than our fathers We, i' faith, 

i We boast to be ! the leaders were we twain 
4 Of scantier troops beneath the Wall of Ares 
' At Thebe, in reliance on Jove's help 
' And the gods' omens,— and 'twas We who took 
'The Theban Seat, seven-gated : — They howe'er 

* Perished yea through their own blind impious folly ! 
410 ' So put me never our fathers in like honour !" 

To him whereat spake doughty Diomed, 
Eyeing him grimly : " Dad ! now sit thee in silence ; 
i And be persuaded by a word of mine : 
' I take it not amiss in Agamemnon, 
1 The pastor of the hosts, — his rousing up 
1 The fair-greaved Argives onwards to the battle. 
415 ' For unto Him shall glory at once belong 

1 Should but the Achaians take yon sacred Ilion, 
4 And cut the Trojans down :— but if cut down 



BOOK J. 107 

'The Achaians were,— great sorrow then were His. 

' But come, yea thou and I, — let us bethink us 

1 Of doughty might/' He spake; and to the ground 

With all his harness leapt from forth his chariot : 

And terrible was the rattling of the brass 

About the chieftain's breast, as forth he sprang : 

Sure seized had sudden Fear e'en one stout-hearted. 

And now, — as when upon the beach far-sounding 

Rises the sea-wave, following close on wave, 

Moved by the breath of gently-stirring Zephyr, — 

At first its crest upon the deep is reared, — 

But presently it breaks upon the coast 

With mighty roar, and rises arched and crested 

About the cliffs, and flirts the sea- foam forth ; — 

So without let now marched the Danaan lines 

Line after line continuous to the fight. 

And of the captains— each one gave his orders 

To his own men,— and They marched speechless all — 

(Xor mightst thou think so vast a host was following 

With voice within their breasts), — in silent awe 

Of their commanders ; and upon them all 

Bright was the fair-wrought harness, clad wherewith 

They marched in ranks along. Meanwhile, the Trojans, — 

As in the yard of some full wealthy man 

His ewes all countless, yielding the white milk, 

Stand bleating sore, hearing their lambkins' cry ; — 

So was the war-shout of the Trojans raised 

Throughout their wide-spread host. Not was the shouting 

One and the same, nor only one their speech ; 

But mingled w T as the language, for the men 

Were called from many a land.— The War-god, Ares, 

To fight roused These, — Bright-eyed Athene— Those ; 



108 THE ILIAD. IV. 

440 Fear also and Fright, and Eris, ever-hasty, 

Goddess of Strife, sister of slaughterous Ares, — 
And his Companion—She, who — small at first — 
Uprears her crest, but soon thereafter lifts 
Her head right up to heaven, and treads on earth : 
* Throughout the gathered throng yea now came She, 
To swell the groans of warriors, — and in midst 

445 Hurled battle-strife betwixt the hosts together. — 
So they, — as now together were they come 
Into one place, — thrust shield 'gainst shield together, 
And spears together, and the battle-rage 
Of men with brazen breast-plates : and close came 
Bossed bucklers one 'gainst other, and uprose 
A din far-spread and loud. Met there together 

450 The cry of triumph and the cry—" Woe's Me," 
Of many a man,— the slaughtered and the slayer ; 
And the Earth flowed with blood.— As when two streams 
Swoln big by winter storms, flow down the hills, 
And in one common valley fling together 
The mighty water, rolled in hollow gully 
From forth their ample springs, and from afar 

455 The shepherd on the hills hears their loud roar ; — 
So was upraised the shout, the cry and terror, 
Of mingled host with host. — And foremost now 
Antilochus o'erpowered a helmed warrior,— 
A doughty champion in the Trojan front, — 
Thalyses' son, the gallant Echepolos : 
Him then he foremost smote upon the peak 

460 Of helmet thick with horsehair : into his forehead 
He stuck it, and the brazen point pierced through 
Into the bone ; and darkness veiled his eyes : 
And down, as when a tower falls, he fell 



BOOK J. 109 

In the stern fight. Him falTn— lord Elephenor 
Calchodon's son, the bold Abantians' captain, 
Seized by the feet; and forth from reach of weapons 

405 Began to drag* him underhand, full fain 
In quickest haste to strip his harness off: 
But short lifed was his venture. For just then 
High-souled Agenor spied him dragging off 
The lifeless body, and with polished lance — 
Brass-fitted — w r ounded him upon his ribs, — 
(Which as he stooped shew r ed bare beside his buckler,) 

470 And loosed his limbs. So him his breath forsook : 
But o'er him yet was wrought full painsome work 
Of Trojans and Achaians : and like wolves 
Each rushed at other, and man smote man to death. 
Then Telamonian Ajax smote and killed 
A youth in bloom of manhood, Simoeisios, 
Anthemion's son; to whom on a time his mother, 

475 On coming down from Ida with her parents 
To see the flocks, gave birth, beside the banks 
Of Simois : him therefore Simoeisios 
They used to call. But — for his bringing up, — 
So short his life, he paid not back to his parents, 
Slain as he was by spear of high-souled Ajax. 
For him first coming smote he on the breast 

480 Near the right nipple : and the brazen spear 

Went on, straight through the shoulder, and to the earth 
He tumbled in the dust : like as black poplar, — 
Such as in marsh of some large meadow has grown, — 
Smooth,— and to utmost head have grown its branches ; 
And with his glittering axe a chariot-maker 

485 Has hewed it out, whereof to bend a felly 
For some right goodly chariot; and it lies, 



110 THE ILIAD. IV. 

Becoming sere, beside the river's banks : — 
Slaughtered e'en so and spoiled was Simoeisios, 
Anthemion's son, by the hand of Jove-sprung Ajax : 
At whom then Antiphus Priarnides, 

490 With corslet shining, darted a sharp lance 

Amid the throng : he missed him : but he hit 
Leucos, Odusseus' trusty friend, in groin 
While dragging off the corse to the other side. 
Down then he pitched beside it, and the corse 
Pell from his hand. — Then mightily at heart 
Wroth was Odusseus at his friend being slaughtered ; 

495 And through the foremost men he sped, all harnessed 
In glittering brass, and went right near, and stopped, 
Then peered around him, and with shining lance 
Let fly : and at the hurling of the chief 
The Trojans drew them back : the shaft howe'er 
Not erringly sent He, but hit Democoon 
A bastard son of Priam, to whom he had come 

500 From charge of his swift brood-mares at Abydos : — 
Him then Odusseus, angered for his friend, 
Shot in the temple with his lance, whereof 
The brazen point pierced through the other temple ; 
And darkness veiled his eyes, and down he fell 
A heavy thump, and on him rang the harness. 

505 The foremost fighters now, e'en glorious Hector, 

Somewhat gave way. Then shouted loud the Argives, 
And dragged away the dead ; and dashed right on 
Far forwards : but Apollo, looking down 
From Pergamos, # was wroth ; and shouting loud 
Urged on the Trojans :— " Rouse ye ! shrink ye not, 
' Horse-taming Trojans ! shrink ye not from fight 

* The Citadel of Ilion. 



f 



BOOK A. Ill 

510 ' For Argives ! — for when hit, — their flesh indeed 
' Is neither stone nor iron for bearing up 
1 Against flesh-wounding brass ! And of a surety 
1 Not fighting is the son* of fair tressed Thetis, 
1 Achilles, — but is yonder at the ships 
1 Stewing his heart-distressing bitter wrath." — 
So from the citadel spake the awful god : 

515 Meanwhile, Jove's daughter, Trito-born, most glorious, 
Stirred up the Achaians, and amid the throng 
She came w T here'er she saw them slack of hand : 
Then was the son of Amarynx, Diores, 
Entangled by his Doom ; for he w T as w T ounded, 
On his right leg, at the ankle by a stone 
Sharp-pointed : 'tw r as the captain of the Thracians 

520 Peiroos Imbrasides, who had come from Ainos ; 
He smote him ; and the unmannerly rough stone 
Crushed utterly the bones and both the sinews : 
Then to his friends he spread forth both his arms, 
And backwards down he tumbled in the dust, 
Breathing his heart out : straightway then up ran 
He, who had hit him, — Peiroos ; and with spear. 

525 Wounded him in the navel : and forthwith 
Gushed all his bowels out upon the ground, 
And darkness veiled his eyes. Anon with lance 
The iEtolian Thoas darted at the other, 
And hit him on the breast above the nipple ; 
And into his lungs was fixed the brass : then to him 
Thoas came close, and pulled the weighty spear 
530 From out his breast ; then drew his own sharp sword, 
And therewithal he smote him in mid belly 
And reft him of his life. Yet stripped he not 
His harness ; for his friends— long spears in hand, 



112 THE ILIAD. IV. 

Thracians with top-knots, compassed all about ; 
And him thev thrust, how tall soe'er he was 
And strong and gallant, from themselves away : 

535 So back he drew and from his ground was shaken, — 
Thus then were stretched in dust beside each other 
These captains twain, the one forsooth of Thracians, 
And t' other of the brazen-mailed Epeians : 
And slain was many a one beside about them. — 
There then had any man come haply amongst them, 
And without shot, — or wound from sharp-edged sword, 

540 Should whirl about in midst, — and by the hand 
Pallas Athene took and guided him 
And kept away the rush of weapons launched, — 
Sure with the Work he had found no manner of fault ! 
For many a Trojan and Achaian lay 
Stretched side by side, headlong in dust, that day. 



BOOK E. 113 



ARGUMENT OF THE FIFTH BOOK. E. 

The battle continues : Dionied greatly distinguishes himself in it : he slays 
many doughty foes, and wounds even Ares, the War-god : he also kills 
Pandarus, the truce-breaker ; and wounds the goddess Aphrodite while 
she is aiding her son iEneas against him. Many, both chieftains and 
others, fall on either side. 

EPSILON: Diomed ; his doughty deeds. 



And now to Diomed, the son of Tydeus, 
Pallas Athene gave strong spirit and boldness ; 
Whereby distinguished 'mongst the Achaians all 
He should become, and win a brave renown. 
From both his helmet and his shield she made 
Untiring fire to flash forth, like the Star, 
In time of fruit, the Dog-star, which most chiefly 
Shines brilliant bright, fresh from the bath of Ocean : 
So made she fire to blaze from forth his head 
And shoulders ; and where'er the thickest throngs 
Rushed wildly, thither cheered she Him in midst. 
Now mongst the Trojans was a certain Dares, 
Blemishless, wealthy, a priest of king Hephaistos : 
Two sons he had, named Phegeus and Idaios, 
Skilled in all manner of fight : these now against him 
Rushed forwards, parting from their friends : attack 
Made they from chariot ; He from ground, a-foot. 
Soon as at hand they were to attack each other, 



114 THE ILIAD. V. 

Phegeus first launched bis lengthy-shafted spear ; 

15 But the spear's point— o'er Diomed's left shoulder 
Passed on and hit him not : anon rushed He, 
The son of Tydeus, with his brazen lance ; 
And from his hand not erring flew the weapon, 
But smote him on the breast between the paps, 
And thrust him from the chariot. Then Idaios 

20 In haste forsook the beauteous chariot-board, 
And darted off; # nor ventured to bestride 
His slaughtered brother ; yet not of himself 
E'en so had He escaped from gloomy death ; 
But 'twas Hephaistos rescued him and saved, 
By shrouding him in gloom ; that so not quite 
O'erwhelmed in grief should now be His old mam 

25 But high-souled Tydeus' son drave off the horses 
And gave his friends to lead to the hollow ships. 
Then the high-hearted Trojans, — when they saw 
Dares' two sons,— one, fleeing for his life, 
And t'other slaughtered thus beside his chariot, — 
Stirred was the heart within them all. Anon, 
Bright-eyed Athene took impetuous Ares 

30 By hand, and thus addressed him : " Ares, Ares I 
6 blood-stained ! Bane of men ! Stormer of walls ? 
' Shall we not now leave Trojans and Achaians 
6 Alone to battle, — unto whichsoe'er 
' Our father Zeus shall choose to hold out glory, — 
i And we withdraw us both, and shun Jove's wrath ? " 

35 So saying, she led away impetuous Ares 

From out the battle : him she then set down 
Beside high-banked Scamander. So the Danaans 

* So too, Sisera lighted down off his chariot, and fled awav on his feet. Judges 
ft., 15. 



BOOK E. 



115 



Routed the Trojans : and each Danaan captain 

Slaughtered his man : and foremost Agamemnon, 

The chief of captains, cast the mighty Hodius 

The Halizonians' captain, from his chariot : 

For in his back, as first he turned for flight, 

rianted the king his lance betwixt the shoulders, 

And drave it through his chest : and down he fell 

A heavy thump, and on him rang the harness. 

The prince Idomeneus meanwhile slew Phaistos, 

Maeonian Boras' son, who came from Tarne, 

Rich, cloddy land : — spear-famed Idomeneus 

Stabbed him, just mounting on his chariot, — 

On the right shoulder, — stabbed him with long lance ; 

And down he fell from out the car, and on him 

Forthwith came hateful Darkness. Whereupon, 

At once the followers of Idomeneus 

Stripped him of arms. Anon lord Menelaus, 

The son of Atreus, with his black-thorn spear 

Killed Strophios' son, Scamandrios, a brave huntsman, 

Crafty in chase : for Artemis herself 

Taught him to hit all game, what kind soe'er 

The mountain forest rears. Not now however 

Did arrow-loving Artemis avail him, 

Nor did his craft in shooting from afar, 

Wherein he excelled aforetime : but Atreides, 

The spear-famed Menelaus, wounded him 

Fleeing before him, — wounded him with spear 

Behind his midriff, right betwixt the shoulders, 

And drave it through his chest, and down he pitched 

Headlong, and on him rang again his harness. 

Meriones meanwhile slew Phereclos, 

Son of Harmonides, a cunning craftsman 



116 THE ILIAD. V. 

60 To frame all manner of curious handiwork ; 
For notably Athene Pallas loved him : 
He 'twas who erst had framed for Alexander 
His gallant ships, beginners of the mischief, 
And which Were mischief— unto all the Trojans, — 
And to himself; for that the gods' decrees 
Were quite beyond his ken : Meriones 

65 Pursued and caught him as he fled, and smote him 
On his right buttock, and the point went forth 
Beneath the bone right through beside his bladder. 
Down on his knees he fell with piteous cry, 
And Death enfolded him in gloom. Anon, 
Lord Meges killed Antenor's son Pedaios : 
A bastard was he ; yet as her own children 

70 Noble Theano reared him all the same, 

With kindly care, and a wish to please her lord. 
With his keen spear, the spear-famed son of Phyleus, 
Meges, approached and smote him in the nape— 
Behind his head, and through beneath his tongue 
The brazen point cut right along his teeth : 

75 And down in dust he fell, and twixt his teeth 
Clinched the cold brass. Eurypylos meanwhile, 
Son of Evaimon, slew the prince Hypsenor, 
Son of the mighty-hearted Dolopion, 
Priest of Scamander, and who — by the people 
Was honoured as the god :— Eurypylos, 
Evaimon's gallant son, rushed after him 

80 As fleeing he was before him, — rushed with sword 
And smote him on the shoulder, w 7 hence he shaved 
His heavy arm clean off, and on the plain 
Down fell the bloody arm ; and purple Death 
And violent Doom gat hold upon his eyes. 



BOOK E. 



117 



In such sort toiled they in the mighty straggle. 
But as for Tydeus' son, — not mightst thou mark 

85 To which host he belonged : whether with Trojans 
He companied, — or whether with Achaians : 
For rushing was he along athwart the plain, — 
Like flooding river swoln by storms of winter, 
Which swiftly flows and breaks and scatters bridges : 
For neither strong-built bridges hold it back, 
Neither does fence of blooming garden check it, — 

90 So sudden it comes, when heavily falls thereon 
Jove's rainy thunderstorm : and under it 
Full many a goodly crop of husbandmen 
Falls prostrate ;— so beneath Tydeides' arm 
Driven were the serried squadrons of the Trojans 
In wild disorder, neither did they bide 
His furious onset, many howe'er they were. 

95 Now soon as lord Lycaon's gal]ant son* 
Noted him rushing thus about the plain, 
Driving the lines before him in disorder, — 
He bent him all in haste his crooked bow 
At Tvdeus' son ; and reached his corslet's hollow 
At the right shoulder, and hit him rushing on : 
And through it the keen arrow winged its flight 

LOO And held its way right on : straightway with blood 
Besprinkled was the corslet : whereupon 
Lycaon's gallant son cried out aloud : 
" Bestir ye now, ye mighty-hearted Trojans, 
' Drivers of horses ! for the Achaians' Best 
1 Is woundedj and not long shall He, methinks, 
1 Hold up against the cruel shaft ; — if really 

LOS ' My lord the son of Zeus did cheer me on 

* Pandarus. 



118 THE ILIAD. V. 

' At starting forth from Lycia." Spake he thus, 

Proudly in boast : yet not did the sharp arrow 

O'erconie the chief; but back he went, and stood 

Before his car and horses, and spake thus 

To Sthenelos, the son of Capaneus : 

" Quick, stir thee, Capaneides, my sweet pippin ! 

110 ' Down from the car ! and pull this bitter arrow 

' From out my shoulder ! " Spake he thus : and down 
Leapt Sthenelos from chariot to the ground, 
And, standing by, drew the sharp arrow forth, 
Right through, from out his shoulder : and the blood 
Shot upward through the twist-wrought coat of mail. 
Then, then prayed thus the doughty Diomed : 

115 if Hear me, daughter of iEgis-bearing Zeus, 
' Unwearied One ! If e'er with kindly thought 
' By me, and by my father, hast thou stood 
i In slaughterous battle-strife, — now yet again 
' Befriend me, Athene !— and vouchsafe me 
' Within spear-throw to come and kill yon man, 
' Who has been beforehand thus in shooting me, 

120 ' And now he boasts, and thinks that not much longer 
' Shall I behold the brilliant light of Helios." 
So spake he praying : whereat Athene Pallas 
Gave ready ear, and made his limbs all nimble, 
Legs yea and arms above : and drawing near, 
She stood, and thus in winged words addressed him : 
(i Now cheer thee, Diomed, and do bold battle 

125 ' Against the Trojans, for within thy breast 

* I've put thy father's furious might, yea dauntless, 
' Like as the buckler-wielding horseman Tydeus 
1 Was wont to have. And from thine eyes that mist, 
1 Which heretofore was on them, have I taken. — 



BOOK E. 



119 



1 That clearly mayst thou know— as well a god— 
1 As also a man. So now, should any god 

130 ' Come hither, trying the chance of war against thee,- 
'Thou, —fight thou not against the Deathless gods, . 
' No, against none ; save that if Aphrodite 
' Jove's daughter, haply comes into the battle, — 
6 Then wound thou her forsooth with thy sharp weapon ! " 
So saying, Athene Pallas hied away : 
And forth again Tydeides went and mingled 

135 Among the foremost fighters : — and how fain 
Soe'er before at heart he was to fight 
Against the Trojans, — Now— three times as great 
A rage gat hold of him ;— as on a lion ; — 
Which in the field a shepherd has but wounded 
Slightly, and not overcome, when leaping over 
Into the fold-yard at the fleecy sheep : 
He has but roused indeed the strength of Him, 

L40 And then gives no more aid, but slinks away 

In 'mongst the stalls ; meanwhile, the abandoned ones 

Are sore affrighted ; and the sheep all huddling 

Are heaped up one o'er other, — till at length 

The enraged one leaps from forth the high-fenced yard 

E'en so did sturdy Diomed now rage 

And mingle among the Trojans. Then he slew 

Astynoos, — and the pastor of his people, 

L4o Hypeinor : on the breast he hit the first 

With brass-tipped spear ; and t'other one he smote 
With mighty sword 'twixt collar-bone and shoulder ; 
And parted 'off the shoulder from his neck, 
And from his back. Now Them he there let be ; 
And hied him in pursuit of Polyeidos 
And Abas,— sons of old Eurydamas, 



120 



THE ILIAD. V. 



150 Interpreter of dreams : not unto tlieni 

At setting forth from home did that old man 

Interpret dreams ; but sturdy Diomed 

Slaughtered and spoiled them both. — Then after Xanthos 

And Thoon he pursued, — two sons of Phainops, 

Both well-beloved : and he, in sad old age, 

Was wearing out, and had none other son 

155 To leave behind to the heirdom of his wealth. 
These then the chieftain spoiled, and took away 
The life from both : and left sad cares and mourning 
Unto their sire ; for he received them not 
Alive on their return from out the battle ; 
And heirs-at-law shared all his wealth amongst them. — 
And now two sons of Priam Dardanides, 

160 Both in one chariot, Chromos and Echemon 

He caught;— and as a lion springs mongst kine, 

And rends the throat of calf or cow, a-grazing 

Beside his thicket ; so the son of Tydeus 

Made now these both alight from off their chariot 

In sorry sort despite their will ; and straight 

Stripped off their arms ; and gave his friends their horses 

165 To drive off to the ships. — Anon iEneas 

Espied him thinning thus the lines of men, — 
So away he sped, among the throng of spears 
And battle, — in search of godlike Pandarus, 
If haply might he find him. Soon he found 
Lycaon's son, both blemishless and sturdy, 
And stood in front of him, and face to face 

170 Outspake this word : — " Pandarus ! where's thy Bow, 
6 And where thy feathered arrows, and thy Glory ? 
' Wherein with Thee not ever a man vies here : 
1 Nor yet in Lycia boasts there any man 



BOOK E. 



121 



To better Thee ! — But come, — in prayer to Zeus 
Uplift thy hands, and let an arrow fly 
Against this man, whoe'er he be, — so mighty, 
And who has wrought such mischief on the Trojans : 
For sure he has loosed the knees of many and stout : — 
Unless he be some god, — angry at the Trojans, — 
Wroth for default of sacrifice ; and hard 
Is a god's wrath to bear. "—To him in answer 
Then spake Lycaon's gallant son : " JEneas ! 
Chief Counsellor of brazen-harnessed Trojans ! 
In all he seems to me like bold Tydeides, — 
Noting him by his shield and eye-holed helmet, 
And looking at his horses : not howe'er 
For certain wist I whether it be a god. 
And if this be the man, of whom I speak, 
The doughty son of Tydeus, — sure he rages 
In this way not without some god, — but near him 
Stands, wrapped in darkness round about the shoulders, 
One of the Deathless, who from him aside 
Has turned my shaft which just had swiftly reached him 
For at him now I sent a shaft and hit him, 
On the right shoulder, through his corslet's opening : 
And I yea thought to send him down to Hades, 
Yet slain him haye I not : sure now some god 
Is full of rancour. Neither have I here 
Horses or chariot I might mount ; but chariots 
Eleven are somewhere in Lycaon's courts, — 
Goodly, new-built, just made : and round upon them 
Coverings are spread; and for them each stand horses 
Double-yoked, feeding on bright barley and rye. 
Ah sure indeed within our fair-built halls 
The ancient spearman, old Lycaon, laid 



122 THE ILIAD. V. 



200 



205 



210 



215 



220 



Full many a hest upon me at setting forth : 
He bade me mount on chariots and on horses 
For leading Trojans in the battle-strife : 
But I complied not, (though 't had been far better,) 
But spared the horses — lest, our troops being straitened, 
Short should they come of fodder, — all accustomed 
To eat their fill. So them I left behind, 
And came, relying on my bow and arrows, 
On foot to Ilion : yet to profit me 
Were they not destined : for IVe shot already 
At two chiefs— both Tydeides and Atreides ; 
And hit them, and from both have drawn true blood; 
Yet roused them but the more. Sure then I took 
My crooked bow and arrows from their peg 
With 3orry luck that day, when — to do kindness 
To noble Hector — forth I led our Trojans 
To lovely Ilion. But should I return 
And with mine eyes behold rny fatherland 
And wife and high-roofed ample home again, — 
May foeman straightway then cut off my head, 
If I break not asunder with my hands 
This Bow and shafts and lay on the beaming fire, 
For useless as the wind they follow me." — 
Then answered him the Trojan chief, iEneas ; 
' Talk not in such sort : yet not otherwise 
Will matters be, until with horse and chariot 
We twain go against this man, and face to face 
With weapons try our luck. But come, now hie thee 
Into my car, and see what sort of horses 
Are these of Tros, and how they know the plain, 
For sweeping o'er it here or there right swiftly, 
In chase or flight : and Us they '11 bear off safe 



BOOK E. 



123 



225 



230 



235 



240 



245 



Into the Town, if haply Zeus should grant 
The glory to Tydeides Diomed. 
But come, take now the whip and glossy reins; 
And I '11 dismount and fight. Or, await Thou 
This foeraan, and My care shall be the horses." 
Then answered him Lyeaon's gallant sen : 
( Indeed hold thou the reins, thyself, iEneas, 
And thine own horses : (better will they bear 
The rounded car driven by their wonted driver, 
If haply in flight we turn before Tydeides :) 
Lest they should miss thy voice, and so be fearful 
And restiff, and refuse to bear us forth 
From out the fight ; and high-souled Tydeus' son 
Slay us, and drive away the firm-hoofed horses. 
But thine own chariot thou— drive thou thyself 
And thine own horses ; and with my sharp spear 
I '11 entertain this man, when on he comes. " — 
So saying, they mounted on the fair-wrought chariot, 
And urged in eager haste the nimble horses 
To meet Tydeides ; but lord Sthenelos 
The gallant son of Capaneus espied them, 
And straightway thus in winged words accosted 
The son of Tydeus : — " Diomed Tydeides, 
' Dear to my soul! I see two doughty men, 
' Of strength immeasurable, fain to fight thee : 
1 The one is Pandarus, well-skilled in bows 
' And bowmanship, — boasts too to be the son 
' Of prince Lycaon : the other is iEneas, 
' And vaunts himself in being a son begotten 
1 Of blemishless Anchises ; and his mother 
1 Is Aphrodite. Come then, mount the chariot 
' And let us now draw back ; and rush not thus, 



124 THE ILIAD. 



250 



255 



260 



265 



270 



I pray thee, through the foremost lines, lest haply 
Thou lose thy life." Whereat then eyeing him 
Grimly askant, strong Diomed thus answered : 
( Counsel me never a whit to flight, since thou 
Shalt not, methinks, persuade me ! For My Breeding 
Is not to swerve in fighting, nor to cower : 
In me my strength is steadfast yet. And loth 
Am I to mount the car : but them 1 11 meet 
Yea thus, e'en as I am : Athene Pallas 
Permits not Me to quake. But their swift horses 
Not back again shall carry these two men — 
Both off— from us, if e'er e'en one escapes. 
Yet else I '11 tell thee, and lay it thou in heart : 
Should but Athene, the good Counsellor, 
Grant me the glory here to slay them both, — 
Hang thou the reins upon the chariot rim, 
And so keep back these nimble horses here ; 
And mind and rush upon iEneas' horses, 
And from the Trojans drive them off forthwith 
Unto the fair-greaved Argives : for their breed 
Is that forsooth, whereof far-seeing Zeus 
Gave unto Tros, as quittance for his son — 
Ganymed . — so the best are they of horses, 
Of all beneath both Eos and bright Helios : 
Of that breed erst Anchises, prince of men, 
Did steal, unknown of lord Laomedon, 
By intermixture of his mares ; from which 
Six of the stock were foaled him in his yards. 
Of these himself kept four and reared at crib, 
And to JEneas gave he these two others, 
Swift warners of Dismay : could we take These, 
Then should we win indeed a gallant name. ,, 



book E. 125 

In such wise each to other did they talk. 

275 Anon the foemen, driving their swift horses, 
Drew near. Lycaon's gallant son spake first : 
" gallant Tydeus' doughty son, strong-hearted ! 
' Sure then the bitter arrow, my swift shaft, 
1 lias not subdued thee : now I'll try again, 
' If haply can I reach thee with my spear."' 

280 He spake ; and poised aloft, drew back and launched 
The lengthy spear, and hit Tydeides' buckler; 
Wherethrough the brazen point forth winged its way 
And reached his corslet. Whereupon aloud 
Lycaon's gallant son cried out : " Thou'rt wounded 
1 Through to the flank, and not much Jonger now 
' Shalt thou methinks, hold up : and unto me 

285 ' Great triumph hast thou given." Anon, not frighted, 
Strong Diomed addressed him thus : " Thou'rt wrong, 
' And hast not reached me : but, methinks, you twain 
' Shall not have quite done yet forsooth, till fallen 
' Has one at least, and glutted with his blood 
6 Ares the war-god staunch with ox-hide buckler." 

290 So saying, he launched his weapon, and Athene 
Guided it straight along by the eye and nose ; 
Through the white teeth it also drave its w T ay, 
And yea his tongue the untiring weapon cut 
At root right off, and underneath his chin 
The point came forth : * and from the car he fell, 
And on him rang again his glancing harness, 

295 All shining : and the nimble-footed horses 
Started aside with fear : and there released 
Was both his life and strength. Anon iEneas 

* Pandarus must therefore have bowed his head forward, but not enough to shun 
the spear of Diomed. 



126 THE ILIAD. V. 

With shield and lengthy lance rushed on, in fear 
The Achaian men should drag away his dead. 
So him he at once bestrode, as might a lion, 
Confiding in his might ; and held his lance 

300 Before him, and his full round shield, and shouted 
Right terrible to hear, all fain to slay 
Whoe'er should come against him : but Tydeides 
Took in his hands a stone, — a heavy matter, — 
Such as two men forsooth, — as humankind 
Are now-a-days, — might sure not think to carry ; 
But easily all alone, He whirled it forth. 

305 Therewith he smote JEneas on the hip-joint, 
Just where the thigh has turning in the hip : 
The "socket" some folk call it : — and it crushed 
The socket, and thereon brake both the sinews : 
The rough stone also forced away the skin : 
Then on his knee the Chief— he fell and rested, 
And with his sturdy hand against the ground 

310 Leant him ; and gloomy darkness veiled his eyes. 
And sure had now iEneas, prince of men, 
There perished utterly, — had not his mother 
With sharp sight spied him, — she who gave him birth, 
Jove's daughter Aphrodite, unto Anchises— 
Depasturing his beeves ; but her white arms 
She flung around her own beloved son ; 

315 And put her splendid mantle as a cover 

Folded before him, for a fence 'gainst weapons, 
Lest haply some one of the swift-horsed Danaans 
Should hurl his brazen spear against his breast, 
And take away his life. From out the battle 
Her own dear son all unobserved she carried. 
Nor was the son of Capaneus forgetful 



book E. 127 

320 Of those behests which doughty Diomed 

Had laid upon him : but he stretched his reins 
Upon the chariot-rim, and there aloof 
Kept his own firm-hoofed horses thus in check 
From battle-din ; rushed at the fine-maned steeds 
Of prince JEneas,-— drove them from the Trojans 
Into the fair-greaved Argives' host, and gave them 

325 Unto Deipylos — (his trusty friend 

Whom above all his comrades of same age 

He esteemed for well-matched kindliness of thoughts)— 

For driving to the hollow ships. Anon, 

To his own chariot went a^ain the chief, 

Mounted and seized the glossy reins, and eager 

He turned his firm-hoofed horses all in haste 

330 After Tvdeides: who with ruthless sword 
Was now pursuing Cypris Aphrodite, 
For well he wist she was a strengthless goddess, 
And none of those grim goddesses who rule 
Amid the fight of Men, — such as Athene 
And Envo, the Eavao'er of Towns. 
Now when at length the son of high-souled Tydeus, 

335 Pressing on hard through many a throng, had found her, 
Then forth he reached and with his pointed brass 
Bushed on and wounded her 'twixt wrist and flat 
Of her weak hand : and through the ambrosial mantle, 
Whereon the Graces had themselves bestowed 
Their toil for her, the weapon passed and pierced 
Her skin, upon the nighest edge of palm : 

340 Whereat forth flowed the goddess' blood, ambrosial, 
Ichor, such lymph as flows from the happy gods : 
For bread they eat not, nor drink sparkling wine : 
Wherefore they're bloodless, and are called the Deathless. 



128 THE ILIAD. V. 

Now shrieked she aloud, and forthwith dropped her son : 

Then in a lurid cloud Apollo Phoebus 

Caught him in hand and rescued, lest some one 

345 Among the swift-horsed Danaan host should hurl 
A weapon into his breast, and take his life. 
To her now shouted loud bold Diomed : 
" Daughter of Zeus ! retire from battle and slaughter ! 
' Is 't not enough for thee to cheat weak women ? 
' But thou, if wilt thou haunt the battle-field, 

350 ' Sure then methinks at battle shalt thou shudder, 
' Yea if thou shouldst but hear thereof elsewhere." 
He spake : but she, distraught with pain, departed, 
And terribly distressed she was. Anon, 
From out the throng the wind-swift Iris took 
And led her forth all aching sore with pain. 
And turning was she black in her fair skin. 

355 Soon then, towards the battle's left, she found 
Impetuous Ares, sitting : in a cloud 
His sword lay covered, and his nimble horses : 
Then did she fall upon her knees and beg, 
With many an earnest prayer, of her dear brother 
His golden-bridled horses : " Brother dear ! 
' Carry me safe away, and give me horses 

360 i To go to Olympus, where the dwelling-place 
' Is of the Deathless gods. I 'm in sore pain 
' By reason of a wound ; a mortal man 
1 Has wounded me, — Tydeides, who now sure 
' Would fight yea even against our father Zeus." 
She spake : and thereupon did Ares give her 
His golden-bridled horses : then she stepped, 
Grieving at very heart, into the chariot : 

365 Beside her upstepped Iris too, and took 



BOOK E. 



129 



The reins in hand : and touched them on, and on 
Together not unwillingly they flew. 
Then soon they reached the dwelling of the gods, 
Lofty Olympus : there from chariot-yoke 
Did Iris, swift with foot like wind, release 
And stayed the horses : and ambrosial fodder 
370 She threw before them. But fair Aphrodite, 
She went and fell before her mother's knees, 
Dione : who forthwith embraced her daughter, 
Caressed her with her hand, and spake this word, 
And uttered it aloud : " Now who, dear child, 
Who of the deathless gods has recklessly 
1 Dealt thee the like of this, as though thou hadst done 

I Some heinous ill all openly before them ? " 
375 Anon the queen of smiles, fair Aphrodite 

Thus answered her : " The high-souled son of Tydeus, 
' Dionied, wounded me, because from fight 

I I carried off my son, my dear JSneas, — 
1 Who beyond all to me is far the dearest. 
1 For now no longer is the terrible battle 

€ Betwixt the Trojans and Achaians merely : 
380 ' But now the Danaans fight e'en with the Deathless." 
Then straight the fair of goddesses, Dione, 
Thus answered her : " Be patient, my child, 
' And of good courage, howsoe'er distressed : 
' For many of us, who dwell upon Olympus, 
' Ere now have laid sore troubles on each other, 
1 And suffered hardship at the hands of men. 
385 ' Suffer did Ares, when with mighty fetter 
' Otus erewhile, and sturdy Ephialtes, 
' Sons of Aloeus, bound him : and in dungeon, 
' Brazen, was He bound fast for thirteen months. 

9 



130 THE ILIAD. V. 

' And there now perished quite perchance had Ares, 

' Insatiable of battle ; had not tidings 

i Of all the matter been rehearsed to Hermes 

390 ' By beauteous Eriboea, their step-mother : 

i Whereat from bond by stealth he rescued Ares, 
1 Already sore distressed ; for the hard fetter 
' Did tame him down. And suffer too did Here, 
( When on a time Amphitryon's mighty son 
' With a three-barbed arrow wounded her 
* On the right breast : then pain unhealable 

395 i Gat hold on her. Amongst these, also suffered 
' Huge Hades from a speedy shaft, what time 
' That same man. son of iEgis-bearing Zeus, 
' Wounded him in his gate among the dead, 
' And gave him up to pain : straightway went He 
' Distressed at heart, pierced through with pain, to the halls 
1 Of Zeus on lofty Olympus : for the arrow 

400 ' Had been far driven into his thickset shoulder, 
' And fretted sore his spirit : but thereon 
1 Paion laid drugs, quelling the pain, and healed him : 
' For never a whit of mortal frame was He. 
' Kash,— doer of heinous works, — was he who recked not 
' Such impious deeds, who with his bow and arrows 
1 Harassed the gods who dwell upon Olympus. 

405 ' Now too the goddess of bright eyes, Athene, 
( Has set This man on Thee : fool that he is, 
i Nor does the son of Tydeus know in heart, 
1 That not indeed long-lifed is he who fights 
' Against the deathless gods ; nor from the war 
1 And terrible battle comes he — for his children 
'To cling about his knees and cry "Papa" 

410 * Let therefore now Tydeides take good heed, 



BOOK £. 



131 



1 How strong soe'er he be, lest some one else 

' Bolder than thou should haply fight against him ; 

' Lest long in grief Adrastus' thoughtful daughter 

1 JSgialeia, waking from her sleep 

1 Should rouse her menials, and with fond regret 

1 Should she, — horse-taming Diomed's brave wife, 

415 ' Miss her dear lord, the wedded of her youth, 

' The Achaians' Best." She spake, and with both hands 
Wiped off the ichor from her daughter's palm. 
Healed was her hand, and quelled her heavy pain. 
Meanwhile both Here and Athene spied them, 
Whereat with taunting words they thought to stir 
Zeus Chronides to wrath : the bright-eyed goddess 

420 Athene then outspake the foremost word : 

" Zeus father ! wilt thou at all with me be angry 

1 At that I say ? sure Cypris Aphrodite 

' Has here been urging some Achaian woman. 

'To company with Trojans, whom she favours 

' Now all outrageously ; and, in caressing 

' This — whosoe'er she be — fair-robed Achaian, 

42o ' Has scratched her slender hand 'gainst golden brooch." 
She spake : then smiled the sire of men and gods, 
And, calling to him golden Aphrodite, 
Forthwith he thus addressed her : " Not to Thee 
Is given the work of War, my child : but Thou, 
' Pursue thou rather the delightsome business 
1 Of marriage ; and these matters all shall be 

430 ' The care of hasty Ares and Athene." 

In suchlike talk together they conversed. 
Meanwhile upon JEneas furiously 
Bushed the bold champion Diomed, though marking, 
How for protection o'er him was Apollo 



132 THE ILIAD. V. 

Himself his hands upholding : but the chief, 
He dreaded not the mighty god, not he ; 

435 But ever fain he was to kill iEneas, 

And to despoil him of his gallant harness. 

Three times then rushed he on, all bent on slaying, 

And three times roughly did Apollo smite 

His shining buckler : when howe'er, imp like, 

On darted he the fourth time, then indeed 

With terrible threats Apollo the Far-shooting 

440 Addressed him thus : " Consider, son of Tydeus ! 
' And draw thee back, and think not thou to match 
1 With gods in understanding ; for the race 
6 Of deathless gods and that of humankind 
' Who tread the earth are never a whit alike. " 
He spake : whereat the son of Tydeus drew him 
Some little back again, and shunned the wrath 

445 Of the Far-shooting Phoebus : then aloof 
From out the throng Apollo set iEneas 
In sacred Pergamos, wherein was built 
His temple : there in innermost large room 
Both Leto and arrow-loving Artemis 
Healed and restored him unto strength and glory. 
Meanwhile, Apollo of the Silver Bow, 

450 Contrived a phantom, bodily like iEneas, 

Like also in harness : and around the likeness 
Achaian chiefs and Trojans yet kept slashing 
The good round oxhide bucklers, and light shields 
Featherlike, on each other's breasts. At length 
Outspake on this wise unto furious Ares 
Phoebus Apollo : " Ares, bloodstained Ares ! 

455 ( Thou Bane of humankind, Stormer of walls i 
1 Wilt thou not now attack and from the battle 



book E. 133 

1 Withdraw this man, — Tydeides, — who forsooth 
1 Would fight, yea now, e'en against father Zeus ? 
1 First went he hand to hand and wounded Cypris 
' Upon her wrist, and then, as were he a god, 
' E'en upon me he made attack." So saying, 

460 He went and sat him in the Citadel, 
The lofty Pergamos : and baleful Ares 
Entered the Trojan lines and urged them on, 
Taking the likeness of lord Acamas, 
The Thracians' hasty leader ; and thus he urged 
The Jove-loved sons of Priam : " sons of Priam, 
' Sons of your Jove-loved sovereign, how much longer 

465 ' Will ye permit your people to be slaughtered 
6 Thus by Achaians ? will ye till they're fighting 
' E'en at your fair-wrought gates ? — There lies the man, 

* Whom equal to prince Hector did we honour, — 
1 iEneas, mighty-souled Anchises' son : 

1 But come ye now, let 's rescue our brave comrade 
i From out the battle-din." Saying thus, he roused 
470 The spirit and might of each. — Anon Sarpedon 

Rated Prince Hector roundly :— " Hector ! whither 

1 Departed now is that thy mighty spirit 

1 Which erew 7 hile wast thou wont to have ? Thou saidst 

* How that without or soldiers or allies 

' Thou wouldst alone with thine own kin and brethren 
i Maintain the Tow T n. Of these not one howe'er 
475 ' Can I now note or see, but down they cower 
' Like hounds about a lion : while fighting here 
( Are we forsooth, who are come as your allies. 
' For an ally, and from a far off land, 
1 Am I too come : for far away is Lycia, 
' On banks of eddying Xanthos ; where I've left 



134 THE ILIAD, V. 

480 i My dear-loved wife> and infant son behind, 

' And plenteous wealth, yea such as any in want 

' Were fain to reach : nathless, I urge my Lycians, 

' And long myself for battle with that man ; 

i Yet nothing here have I, such as the Achaians 

' Would carry or drive away. But Thou still standest 

485 ' Idle, and bidst not any of thy people 

' To bide the attack, and guard their wives from harm. 

' See, lest ye all be taken, as in meshes 

6 Of an all-grasping fish-net, and become 

'The prey and booty of foemen : and then soon 

' Utterly sack will they your fair- built Town. 

490 ' But all these matters ought to be Thy care 

i Both night and day, and beg shouldst thou the leaders 

' Of your allies, called from afar for aid, 

' To lay aside harsh bickering, and be patient. " 

So spake Sarpedon ; and his word did bite 

The heart of Hector : straight from forth his chariot 

With all his harness leapt he to the ground : 

495 And, brandishing his pointed spears, he strode 

Through all the host and urged them to the fight ; 
And stirred afresh the terrible din of battle : 
Then wheeled they about and faced again the Achaians. 
And firm stood the Argives all, nor were they afraid. — 
And as the wind,— when men are winnowing, — 

500 Bears chaff along on sacred threshing-floors, 
When yellow-haired Demeter separates 
The grain and chaff at the urging of the winds ; 
And white become the chaff-heaps from above ; — 
So from above— the Achaians now became 
White with the clouds of dust their horses' feet 
Upsmote amongst them to the all-brazen heaven, 



BOOK E. 135 

505 As clashed they again, and charioteers wheeled round. 
And straight brought they their might of arm to bear : 
Whereat fierce Ares wrapped a veil of night 
About the battle and went on all sides round 
Helping the Trojans ; and fulfilled the hests 
Of Phoebus of the golden sword, Apollo ; 
Who had bidden him rouse the courage of the Trojans 

510 So soon as e'er he spied Athene Pallas 

Departing from the Danaans ; for to Them 

She was indeed a Helper. Now too he sent 

tineas out from forth his rich fat shrine, 

And in the bosom of the peoples' pastor 

He put bold courage. Thus among his comrades 

Now stood iEneas : and right glad were they, 

515 Soon as they saw him coming safe and sound 
Alive, and in good force : yet never a question 
Put they forsooth ; for not permitted were they 
By the new toil which He of the Silver Bow, — 
And Ares, Bane of humankind,— and Eris, 
Goddess of Strife all furious, now stirred up. 
Anon did either Ajax, and Odusseus, 

520 And Diomed, rouse Danaans to the battle. 

And they, e'en by themselves alone, feared not 
Either the Trojans' prowess or their shouts ; 
But bided firm their onset ; like to clouds, 
Which Chronides, in time of calm unruffled, 
Has made to stand on lofty mountain-tops 
Motionless all, while sleeps the force of Boreas, 

525 And of such other stormy winds, as blow 

With whistling blasts and scatter shadowy clouds : 
So did the Danaans bide the Trojans' onset, 
Steadfast, and were not scared. And through the host 



136 THE ILIAD. V. 

% 

Atreides went to and fro, and urged them on : 

" friends, Be Men ! and take ye a good stout heart ; 

' And each for other shew ye sense of honour 

530 ( Mid the stern fight : of men shewing such respect 
6 Sure more are safe, than slain : but if they flee, 
' No glory springs therefrom, nor any help." — 
He spake, and swiftly darted with his lance ; 
And hit the foremost man, Deicoon 
Pergasides, high-souled iEneas' comrade, 

535 Whom Trojans all esteemed with equal honour 
As Priam's own sons, — since always was he ready 
To fight among the foremost : now with lance 
King Agamemnon smote him on his buckler : 
From him howe'er it warded not the weapon, 
But forth it went therethrough, and through his belt 
It thrust him in the belly's lower part : 

540 And down with heavy thump he fell, and on him 
Rattled again his harness. — Then in turn, 
iEneas slew the Danaans' choicest men, 
Both Crethon and Orsilochus, the sons 
Of Diodes ; whose father, wealthy in substance, 
Abode at fair-built Phere ; and his race 
Was from Alpheios' river-stream, that flows 

545 Broad through the Pylians' land. The sire was He 
Of lord Orsilochus, who held broad sway 
O'er many chieftains : and Orsilochus 
Begat the high-souled Diodes : — twin sons 
Were born to Diodes, — Orsilochus 
And Crethon, skilled in every manner of fight. 

550 They twain, in manhood's early prime, set forth 
On board their dusky ships with the Argive host 
Unto the horse-famed Ilion, to obtain 



book E. 137 

Eenown for Atreus' sons, — lord Agamemnon 

And Menelaus : but the term of Death 

Here shrouded both. Like as when two young lions 

555 Have 'neath their dam been reared on mountain tops 
In some deep forest glens, — they both soon ravage 
Men's cattle-stalls, and carry off fat sheep 
And oxen, till e'en they themselves are killed 
By sharp-edged weapon in the hands of men ; 
E'en so beneath the hands of lord iEneas 

560 Did these two fall, bowed down, like lofty pine3, 
But Menelaus, doughty in fight, took pity 
On them thus fall'n ; and brandishing his spear 
On through the foremost ranks he strode, all armed 
In glittering brass ; for Ares stirred his heart, 
With purpose he should fall beneath the hands 
Of lord iEneas. But Antilochus, 

565 The son of mighty-hearted Nestor, spied him ; 

And straight went through the foremost ranks ; for much 
He dreaded for the pastor of the people 
Lest he should suffer some ill chance, and so 
Make Them lose all their labour. Now the twain, 
Ready to fight, were aiming each at other 
Hands and sharp spears ; when came Antilochus 

570 Right close beside the pastor of the people. 
Whereat iEneas, though an eager warrior, 
Awaited not, when saw he two men standing 
Each fast by other. Wherefore when aloof 
Unto the Achaian host they had pulled their dead, 
Into their comrades' hands they put forthwith 
Those luckless twins ; then turned themselves about 
And fought among the foremost. Soon they slew 
The high-souled Paphlagonian warriors' leader 



138 THE ILIAD. V. 

Pylsemenes, in strength a match for Ares : 
Him, as he stood, did spear-famed Meneliius, 
Atreides, hit upon the collar-bone 
And pierced with lance : Antilochus meanwhile 

580 Smote Atymniades, who held the reins, 
Mydon, his noble squire : turning about 
Was he the firm-hoofed horses, as he hit him 
Full on his elbow with a stone : and down, 
From out his hands, the reins all bright with iv'ry 
Dropped to the ground in dust. At him then rushed 
Antilochus with sword and smote his temple : 

585 And straightway from the fair-wrought chariot-board, 
Gasping for breath, down pitched he in the dust, 
Head foremost, right upon his pate and shoulders. 
Full long time stood he thus, for deep in sand 
He chanced to light, — e'en till the horses struck 
And threw him in the dust upon the ground : 
For them Antilochus now flogged and drave 

590 Into the Achaians' host. Anon prince Hector 
Espied them in the lines, and with a shout 
Arose against them : with him also followed 
The Trojans' mighty squadrons ; and their leader 
Was Ares, and the War-queen, grim Bnyo ; 
She with Uproar, insatiable of strife : 
While in his hands a huge spear Ares wielded ; 

595 And strode about, sometimes before prince Hector, 
Sometimes behind. Bold Diomed indeed 
Shuddered at sight of Him. As when a man, 
A helpless wight, lias crossed an ample plain, 
And sudden stops at some swift-flowing river, 
Fast running to the sea, and at the sight 
Of such stream, boiling all with foam and roaring, 



book £. 139 

600 Soon back he runs again ; so now Tydeides 

Withdrew, and to his men spake thus : " friends ! 
' What a bold spearman, what a dauntless warrior, 
' Here do we marvel at in this prince Hector i 
1 But of the gods one sure is ever with him 
' Unceasingly, who wards off mischief from him : 
'And now, yon Ares, like to a mortal man, 

605 ' Is at his side. Eetreat ye backwards then 

' With front still always turned towards the Trojans ; 

'And be not fain to battle with the gods." 

He spake : meanwhile, right near them came the Trojans : 

Then Hector slew two men well- skilled in fight, 

As in one chariot were they both together, 

Menestkes and Anchialos. But Ajax, 

(510 The mighty son of Telamon, took pity 

Upon them falln ; then came he and stood right near 
x\nd darted with his brilliant lance, and hit 
Selagos' son, Amphios : who abode, 
Exceeding rich in cornfields and great wealth, 
At Pseson : him howe'er his Destiny 
Led to give help to Priam and his sons. 

6 15 So Telamonian Ajax wounded him 

Below his belt, whereby the lengthy spear 

Was planted in his belly's lower part ; 

And down with heavy thump he fell : whereat, 

To strip his harness, up ran glorious Ajax : 

At Him then did the Trojans shower their lances 

All shining bright and sharp : and many a one 

620 His buckler entertained. Kathless with heel 
He stepped upon the corse and drew thereout 
His brazen spear : yet now from off the shoulders 
None other goodly harness could he take, 



140 THE ILIAD. V- 

So pressed upon he was by many darts. 

Whereat feared he the sturdy circling round 

Of high-souled Trojans, who both many and bold 

625 With spears were close at hand : and him, though tall, 
And strong and noble, thrust tney back from them ; 
And he withdrew, and from his ground was driven. 
Thus were they toiling in the sturdy battle. 
And now strong Doom urged on Tlepolemos, 
Heracles' tall and gallant son, to attack 
Godlike Sarpedon. Soon as came they near, 

630 Each to attack the other, — both the son, 

And grandson, of the cloud-compelling Zeus, — 

Then foremost spake Tlepolemos this word : 

" Sarpedon ! leader in the Ly dans' councils ! 

* What needs it thee, a man unskilled in battle, 

i Here to come cowering ? Liars are those who say 

' That Thou art seed of iEgis-bearing Zeus ! 

635 ' Since far thou fallest short of those brave men, 
i Who sprang in times of former folk from Zeus. 
' But My sire, — Do they say what manner of man 
' Was He, —his mightiness bold Heracles, 
1 The staunch, the lion-hearted ? who erewhile, 
' To gain the horses of Laomedon, 

640 ' Came with but six ships hither, and few men, 
' And yet clean sacked the lofty Town of Ilion, 
1 And left the streets thereof all desolate. 
1 But craven is Thy spirit, and thy people 
'Are perishing outright : nor to the Trojans 
' Shalt Thou, methinks, how strong soe'er thou art, 

645 ' Be any aid in having come from Lycia : 

' But thou shalt be subdued beneath mine arm, 

1 And pass through Hades' gates." Anon Sarpedon, 



BOOK E. 141 

The Chieftain of the Lycians, answered him : 
" Tlepolemos ! yea true, He did lay waste 
1 The sacred Town of Ilion, through the folly 
* Of prince Laomedon her gallant chief, 

650 ' Who with an ugly word upbraided him 

1 On having done good service, neither rendered 
' The horses up, for which he had come from far. 
t And I here tell thee that Thy slaughterous Death 
' And gloomy Fate shall now be wrought by Me ; 
1 And down beneath my spear shalt thou be bowed, 
' And yield to Me the glory, and thy soul 

655 ' To horse-renowned Hades shalt thou render." 
So spake Sarpedon : but Tlepolemos, 
He raised his ashen spear ; and their long lances 
Both at one time rushed forth from out their hands. 
Right in mid neck Sarpedon hit, and through 
The painsome point passed out ; and gloomy Night 
Whelmed o'er his eyes. Tlepolemos meanwhile 

660 With his long spear had hit Sarpedon's thigh, 

His left thigh, and the point sped through, all quivering 

With eager haste, driven to the very bone ; 

Yet from him still his father warded Death. 

Straightway from out the fight his noble comrades 

Bore off Sarpedon : but the lengthy spear, 

Thus dragged along, distressed him : which indeed 

665 Not one observed, or had in mind to draw 

The ashen shaft from out his thigh, — so eager 

In haste they were that he should mount his chariot ; 

For in such task were they all busy about him. 

On the other side meanwhile the fair-greaved Argives 

Were carrying forth Tlepolemos from battle : 

Now prince Odusseus, ever of steadfast spirit, 



142 THE ILIAD. Y. 

670 Noticed it, and his very breast all panted 
With eagerness ; whereat in heart and soul 
He pondered whether further to pursue 
The son of lofty-thundering Zeus, or w 7 hether 
Slaughter should He those many Lycian followers. 
But not indeed allotted was 't by Fate 
For mighty-souled Odusseus with sharp weapon 

675 To slay Jove's powerful son. Wherefore Athene 

Straight turned his wrath against the throng of Lycians. 
Then slew he Ooiranos, and Prytanis, 
And Halios, and Alastor, and Alcander, 
Noemon also and Chromios. And perchance 
More Lycians yet had prince Odusseus killed, 

680 Had not tall Hector of the glancing helm 

Noticed him quickly. Armed in glittering brass, 
And carrying Terror to the Danaan host, 
Forth strode he through the foremost lines : then glad 
At his approaching was the son of Zeus, 
Sarpedon, and he spake this mournful word : 
Priamides ! now let me not remain 

685 ' A prey here for the Danaans ; but Oh, aid me ; 
Then in your Town, yea let e'en Life forsake me, 
Since sure am I not destined to return 
Unto my home and own dear fatherland, 
To gladden my dear wife and infant boy." 
He spake : but Hector of the glancing helm 
Answered him never a word ; but darted past 

690 In eager haste to force the Achaians back 

With all best speed, and take the life of many. 
Meanwhile his noble comrades placed the prince, 
Godlike Sarpedon, 'neath a beauteous oak 
Of iEgis-bearing Zeus, and from his thigh 



book E. 143 

Bold Pelagon, who was his trusty friend, 

695 Forced out the ashen shaft : whereat his breath 
Straightway forsook him, and upon his eyes 
Was poured a gloomy mist : but soon revived 
"Was he again, and Northern breeze of Boreas 
Blew round upon him and restored his life, 
All panting as he was full sore for breath. 
Meanwhile, by Ares and the brass-mailed Hector 

700 Not once w r ere the Argives turned in headlong flight 
Towards their dusky ships, nor did they once 
Offer themselves in fight, but backward ever 
They kept retreating, when they had learnt that Ares 
Was with the Trojan host. Whom then did Hector 
Priamides and brazen Ares kill ? 

Whom first, whom last? They slew the godlike Teuthras, 
And after him his charioteer Orestes ; 
Then Helenos Oinopides, and Trechos, 
iEtolian spearman, and Oinomaos ; 
Oresbios also, girt with glistening belt, 
Who, busied much about his wealth, abode 
In Hyle, where he dwelt near lake Cephissis, 
And dwelling near him were Boeotians also 

710 Who occupied a land of passing fatness. 

Now soon as e'er the goddess, white-armed Here, 
Noted them slaughtering thus the Achaian troops 
In sturdy fight, forthwith in winged words 
She thus addressed Athene : " Shame, shame ! 
Unwearied daughter of iEgis-bearing Zeus ! 

715 ' Sure now to Menelaus have we made 

Our promise all in vain, — that he should sack 
The strong-walled Town of Ilion, and sail home, 
If to rage thus we suffer slaughterous Ares. 



144 THE ILIAD. V. 

' But come now, let e'en also Us take thought 

' For speedy help." She spake : whereat the goddess 

Bright-eyed Athene was not slack to obey. 

720 Busy went She, the honoured goddess Here, 
Daughter of mighty Chronos, and made ready 
Her golden-bridled horses : to the chariot 
Hebe soon put the round-bent wheels, eight-spoked, 
Of brass : whereof the felloes all were golden, 
Imperishable, and the tires were brazen 

725 Fitted thereon, a marvel to behold : 

And the round naves on both sides were of silver, 

And upon golden and on silver straps 

Hung was the chariot-board ; and rails thereto, 

Two, running round there were ; and from the chariot 

Forth came a silver pole : at end whereof 

730 She bound the beauteous golden yoke, whereto 

She laid the neck-straps, golden, broad, and comely. 
Then Here, fain for strife and din of battle, 
Led the swift-footed steeds beneath the yoke. 
Meanwhile upon her father's palace-floor 
Athene, daughter of iEgis-bearing Zeus, 
Let fall her fine, soft, many-coloured mantle, 

735 The which herself had wrought and made by hand : 
Then of the Cloud-compelling Zeus a coat 
Of mail she donned, and clad herself in harness 
For tear-begetting fight ; and thwart her shoulders 
She flung her terrible JSgis, fringed with tassels, 
Where wreathed on all sides round about was Terror ; 
Strife also was thereon, and thereon Might, 

740 And horrible Rout thereon, and thereon also 

The Gorgon's Head, grim Fiend, all dread to look at, 
And terrible, — ^Egis-bearing Jove's dread sign. 



book E. 145 

And on her head she set a golden helmet 

Decked with four plumes, all studded round about, 

Fit for the champions of a hundred cities. 

745 Then on the blazing chariot up she stepped, 

And grasped her mighty spear, full great and strong, 

Wherewith this daughter of a mighty sire 

Lays many a line of gallant war-chiefs low 

With whoinsoe'er she 's wroth. Then with the whip 

Sharply did Here touch the horses on. 

Anon heaven's gates self-moving grated loud, 

750 Whereof the Hours were keepers, unto whom 
The great heaven and Olympus are committed, 
As well to ope, as also to put to, 
The close-packed cloud : so now their goaded horses 
They drave this way therethrough ; and found Chronion, 
Sitting asunder from the other gods 
On topmost peak of many-ridged Olympus. 

755 There now the goddess, white-armed Here, stopped 
Her chariot, and enquired of Chronides, 
Zeus the supreme, and thus accosted him : 
" Zeus father ! art thou not then wroth with Ares 
1 At these bold deeds ? how many Achaian troops, 
1 And of what sort, he has slaughtered recklessly, 
' Yet shamefully ? to Me distress : while They, 

760 ' Yonder at ease, both Oypris Aphrodite 

' And Phcebus of the Silver Bow, make merry 

' At having let this frantic one go loose 

' Who knows no manner of right and lawful 'haviour! 

' Zeus father ! wouldst be w T roth at all with me, 

1 If Ares did I smite full sore, and chase him 

' Away from out the fight?" Straight answered her 

765 Cloud-gathering Zeus and said : " Come then ! stir up 

10 



146 THE ILIAD. V. 

' And 'gainst him send the Forager, Athene, 

4 Who most is wont to put him in the way 

' Of sore distress ! " He spake : whereat the goddess, 

Here the white-armed, was not slack to obey ; 

But lashed the horses ; and the pair, not loth, 

Did fly along, 'twixt earth and starry heaven. 

770 And far as with his eyes a man may see 

Through air, when sitting on a look-out cliff, 
And spying forth upon the purple deep, — 
Such distance do the gods' high-sounding horses 
Spring at a bound. Now when they had come to Troy, 
And the two flowing rivers, where Seaman der 
And Simois fling their floods in one together, 

775 Her horses there the white-armed goddess Here 

Stopped, and released them from the chariot-yoke ; 

And shed thick mist around. And Simois 

Soon made ambrosia rise for Them to feed on. 

Anon, with gait all smooth like timorous doves, 

Went the two goddesses, full fain to help 

The Achaian chiefs. And when they had come where stood 

780 Chiefs round his mightiness the horseman Diomed, 
The most and bravest, gathered close together, 
Like unto raw-devouring lions, or boars, 
Wild hogs, whose strength not easily is exhausted ; 
Then stood the white-armed goddess Here, and shouted, 
Likening herself to mighty-hearted Stentor 

785 Of brazen voice, who loud as any fifty 

Was wont to utter his cry : " Shame, ye Argives ! 

' Base bye-words ! admirable but in look ! 

1 So long indeed as e'er yon prince Achilles 

' Used to frequent the fight, ne'er did the Trojans 

* Use to come forth before their Dardan gates ; 



BOOK E. 



147 



790 



79-: 



800 



805 



810 



' For His strong lance they feared : but Now they fight 
1 Far from their Town, e'en by our hollow ships !" 
So saying, she stirred the spirit and strength of all. 
Anon then rushed Athene, Bright-eyed goddess, 
Unto Tydeides ; and beside his horses 
And car she found the chief, cooling the wound* 
Where Pandarus had shot him with his arrow : 
For underneath his fair round shield's broad strap 
Galling him was the sweat ; and galled forsooth 
lie was therewith, and in his arm was weary : 
And holding up the strap was he, and wiping 
The cloudy blood away : meanwhile the goddess 
Laid hold upon his horses' yoke, and said : 
i Tydeus begat a son but little like 
Unto himself forsooth. Tydeus i' faith 
Was small in stature, but a doughty warrior. 
And when yea I allowed him not to fight, 
Nor to rush madly to the fray, what time 
He went alone an envoy unto Thebes, 
Went without Argives, 'mongst Cadmeians many ; 
I bade him feast at quiet in their halls ; 
But He, still holding fast his own strong spirit, 
E'en as aforetime, challenged all the youth 
'Mongst the Cadmeians ; and at all turns beat them 
With ease ; such ready Help to Him was T. 
And I by Thee do sure both stand and guard, 
And bid thee fight with heart against the Trojans : 
But either weariness from furious fight 
Has come upon thy limbs ; or else, I ween, 
Spiritless Fear restrains thee : Not art Thou 
A son then of the brave Oineides Tydeus !" 

* See line 100. 



148 THE ILIAD. V. 

Anon the sturdy Diomed in answer 

Addressed her thus : " Thee I discern, goddess, 

815 i Daughter of ^Egis-bearing Zeus ; and therefore 
1 Gladly the matter will I tell to Thee, 
' And will not hide it : neither spiritless Fear, 
' Neither does any Sluggishness, restrain me ; 
1 But mindful am I still of Thy behests, 
' The which thou laidst upon me : thou forbad'st me 
1 To fight against those other happy gods ; 

820 ' Yet if Jove's daughter Aphrodite came 
' Into the battle, Her with edge of sword 
- Thou bad'st me wound. I therefore both withdraw 
' Myself; and all these other Argives also 
' Hither in mass I 've ordered to retreat ; 
1 For Ares I perceive throughout the battle 
' Giving command." Then answered him Athene 

825 The bright-eyed goddess : " Diomed Tydeides, 
' Well-pleasing to my soul ! fear not Thou 
' This Ares ever a whit, nor any other 
' Of all the deathless gods ! — so ready a help 
' Am I to Thee. But come, 'gainst Ares first 
' Drive now thy firm-hoofed horses : and smite swiftly 

830 ' Right hard at hand ; and dread not furious Ares, 
' This raging mad-cap, a born plague, — a shifter 
* To this side, then to that : who indeed just now, 
1 Talking with me and Here, promised us 
' To fight the Trojans and to help the Achaians : 
' But now he joins the Trojan side ; and These 
1 He has chosen to forget." So saying, with hand 

835 Back pulled she Sthenelos and thrust him forth 
From out the chariot to the ground ; and forth 
In haste forsooth he leapt : and She, the goddess, 



book E. 149 

Mounted in eager haste the chariot board 
Beside prince Diomed : and the oaken axle 
Creaked loud beneath the burden ; for it carried 
An awful goddess, and the choicest Man. 

840 Pallas Athene now seized whip and reins ; 

Then straight 'gainst Ares foremost did she drive 

The firm-hoofed horses. Spoiled had He in battle 

Ochesios' gallant son, huge Periphas, 

Far choicest of iEtolians : him then Ares, 

The blood-stained War-god slew : whereat Athene 

845 Put on the cap of Hades, that mighty Ares 

Should Not see Her. Now soon as e'er did Ares 

The bane of men, see godlike Diomed, 

He forthwith left huge Periphas to lie 

E'en where at first he slew and took his life ; 

Then made he straight for the horseman Diomed. 

850 And now when each, near other were they come, 
Ares, all fain to take his life, lunged first, 
O'er yoke and horses' reins, with brazen spear : 
E'en this howe'er Athene, bright-eyed goddess, 
Caught in her hand, and thrust from off the chariot 
To glance in vain aside. On then rushed next 

855 The doughty Diomed with brazen spear : 
And into lowest hollow of the flank, 
Just where the War-god girded on his belt, 
Pallas Athene drave it. There she reached 
And wounded him, and rent his comely skin ; 
Then forth again she plucked the shaft : and He, 
The brazen Ares, roared again,-— as loud 

860 Aye as nine thousand, or ten thousand, men 

Shout for the fight, w 7 hen first in shock together 
They join the strife of Battle. Sudden trembling 



150 THE ILIAD. V. 

Now seized on Them, both Trojans and Achaians 
All in alarm ; so loud did Ares roar, 
Insatiable of battle. And as — from clouds 
Appears a gloomy mist, when burning heat 
865 Springs from ill-blowing wind, # — e'en so to Diomed, 
The son of Tydeus, now did brazen Ares 
Appear, as up along with clouds he hied 
Unto the vasty heaven. And steep Olympus, 
The gods' abode, with tearing speed he mounted ; 
And sad at heart, beside Zeus Chronides 
He sat him down, and showed the ambrosial blood 
870 Down flowing from the wound ; then wailing sore 
He spake these winged words : " father Zeus ! 
Art thou not wroth at seeing these heinous doings ? 
Truly we gods are always suffering troubles 
Most horrible, at the hest each one of other, 
And through our dealing kindness unto men ! 
With Thee we're all at odds : for Thou hast gotten 
875 ' A witless daughter, Baneful, unto whom 
Unseemly deeds are busy care for ever. 
For the others all forsooth, as many gods 
As are upon Olympus, both obey thee, 
And buxom are we, one and all, to thee : 
But Her thou attackest not, no never a whit, 
By word nor yet by deed, but art remiss, 
880 ' For that thyself begat'st this baneful child; 

Who now has set the high-souled son of Tydeus, 
Diomed, on to rage 'gainst deathless gods. 
First indeed he drew near and wounded Cypris 
Upon her hand at wrist : anon he darted, 
Like as an imp, upon even me myself: 

* The Sirocco. 



BOOK E. 151 

' But speedy legs did carry me away ; 

885 ' Or else long time I had suffered trouble yonder 
1 'Mongst awful heaps of slain, or, though alive, 
'All strengthless were I made by blows of brass." 
Whereat then eyeing him askant spake thus 
Cloud-gatherer Zeus : " Sit not by Me, thou Shifter ! 
1 Thus whimpering here ! for sure of all the gods 
1 That occupy Olympus, the most hateful 

890 ' Art Thou to Me : for pleasant unto Thee 

1 Strife is for evermore, and Wars, and Battles. 

1 The temper hast thou all uncheckable, 

1 Unyielding, of thy mother Here ; whom, 

' With much ado forsooth, tame I with words. 

' Therefore in this ill plight art Thou, I fear, 

' Through Her suggestions. Nathless not much longer 

895 ' Thee will I suffer still to endure this pain : 
1 For mine own son thou art, and unto me 
1 Thy mother bare thee : hadst thou been indeed 
1 Engendered, baneful thus, of any other 
1 Of all the gods, — sure long ere now thou hadst been 
1 Yea lower than the sons of Ouranos !" 
He spake : then ordered Paion straight to heal him : 

900 Simples that quell the pain then Paion sprinkled 
On him, and cured : for never a whit was He 
Of mortal make. And as when fig-tree juice 
Fast curdles the white milk, liquid as 'tis, 
And curd it forms right quickly as one mixes ; 
So with quick speed he healed impetuous Ares. 
Hebe then washed and on him put fair raiment : 

905 And by Zeus Chronides he sat him down, 
Rejoicing in his glory. And now again 
"Unto the abode of mighty Zeus returned 



152 THE ILIAD. V. 

The goddesses Athene, Strong Defender, 
And Argive Here ; since the blood-stained Ares, 
Bane of mankind, they now had made to stay 
His hands from Slaughter in the mortal fray. 



BOOK Z. 153 



ARGUMENT OF THE SIXTH BOOK. Z. 

The gods being gone aloof, the Argives kill a great many Trojans. Hector, 
at the advice of Helenos, goes up to the City and exhorts Hecuba to 
make supplications and vows to Athene, with prayer that she would 
cause Diomed to stay from battle. Glaucus and Diomed meet, and 
recognize an hereditary friendship, and exchange arms. Hector, after 
conversing with his mother Hecuba, and his wife Andromache, goes forth 
again, with his brother Paris Alexander, to the battle. 

ZETA : the interview and parting words 
' Twixt Hector and Ids wife Andromache. 



Thus left alone then was the terrible fight 
Of Trojans and Achaians. Then oft times 
The tide of battle set right o'er the plain 
Hither and thither, as their brass-tipped spears 
Straight launched they each at other, 'twixt the streams 
Of Simois and Xanthos. First then Ajax 
5 Telamon's mighty son, the Achaians' bulwark, 

Brake through the Trojans' line, and so brought light 
Unto his friends, by^ smiting Acamas, 
Who among the Thracians was the choicest man, 
Both stout and tall, the son of lord Eusoros. 
Foremost then Him he smote upon the peak 
Of helmet thick with horsehair ; and fixed deep 
10 The weapon in his forehead, and right through 
On passed the brazen point within the bone ; 



154 THE ILIAD. VI. 

And darkness veiled his eyes. Now in the fray 
The doughty Diomed smote down Axylos 
Teuthranides, who rich with ample living 
Dwelt in Arisbe's fair-built Town : and loved 
He was by all folk : for he used to welcome 

15 All at the way-side house wherein he dwelt. 
Yet Now — of Those indeed whom formerly 
With welcome stepped he forth to meet, not one 
Kept off sad Death from Him : but Diomed 
Of life bereft them both, Him and his page 
Calesios, who was then his charioteer 
And drave the horses : thus they both went down 

20 Beneath the Earth. Meanwhile Euryalos 

Killed and despoiled both Dresos and Opheltios : 
Then Pedasos pursued he, and Aisepos, 
Whom erst the Naiad nymph Abarbare 
To blemishless Boucolion bare ; and son, 
By birth the eldest, was Boucolion 
Unto the illustrious lord Laomedon : 

25 And him his mother bare in secresy : 

Boucolion, being a shepherd with his flocks, 

Was joined then to the nymph in love and wedlock : 

And she conceived and brought to birth twin sons. 

Mecistides Euryalos now made 

The strength of these and their fair limbs to fail, 

And stripped their fighting gear from off their shoulders. 

30 Anon then Polypoites firm in battle 

Slaughtered Astyalos. And prince Odusseus 
With brazen spear bereft of life and spoiled 
Pidytes the Percosian : and lord Teucer 
Slew noble Aretaon. And Nestor's son, 
Antilochus, with gleaming lance bereft 



BOOK Z. 155 

Ableros of his life : and Agamemnon 

35 Chieftain of chiefs killed Elatos ; who dwelt 
At lofty Pedasos, beside the banks 
Of the fair-flowing river Satniois. 
Meanwhile lord Leitos killed Phylacus 
Fleeing away : Eurypylos cnt down 
And spoiled Melanthius. Doughty Menelaus 
Then took alive Adrastus ; for his horses 
Fleeing bewildered o'er the plain, were caught 

40 By tamarisk bough, and brake the rounded chariot, 
The pole at nighest part, and off went they 
Towards the Town, whereunto others also 
Were fleeing all bewildered with affright : 
And down from forth the chariot out rolled He 
Headlong upon his mouth, all in the dust : 
Anon beside him stood the son of Atreus 

45 Prince Menelaus, lengthy spear in hand : 

Whereat Adrastus clasped his knees and prayed him : 

" Take me alive, Atreus' son ! and thou, 

' Receive shalt Thou a worthy ransom-price : 

' For in my wealthy father's house lie stored 

6 Full many a treasure, brass, and much-wrought iron, 

' And gold ; whereof my father cheerfully 

50 ' Would give thee countless ransom, if be heard 
' Of Me alive on board the Achaian ships. " 
He spake : and moved thereby the chieftain's heart 
Within his breast ; who now was fain to give him 
Unto his page to lead aw T ay at once 
To the Argives' nimble ships : but Agamemnon 
Came running up before him, and called out 

55 With loud command and spake this word : " softling! 
1 Menelaus ! Why concerned art Thou 



156 THE ILIAD. VI. 

' Thus for the men ? — most Goodly services 
1 Trojans have done for Thee at home forsooth ! 
' Of Them let never a one escape our hands 
' And utter Death; nor yet a child soe'er, 
( A man-child, that in womb a mother carries, 

60 ' Let never one escape : but from out Ilion 
1 Let all together perish utterly, 
1 No longer seen or cared for." With these words 
The chieftain, giving such meet counsel, turned 
His brother's heart ; whereat away from him 
He thrust off lord Adrastus : whom forthwith 
King Agamemnon wounded in the flank ; 

65 And backwards down he fell : anon Atreides, 
Stepping with heel upon his breast, pulled forth 
His ashen spear. Meanwhile aloud called Nestor 
To the Argives and exhorted them : " friends ! 
' Ye Danaan lords, ye ministers of Ares ! 
6 Let none now fly upon the spoil, and stay 
1 For sake of carrying off the most he can 

70 l Down to the ships ; but let us kill the men : 
1 And the dead corses throughout all the field 
' At ease thereafter shall ye strip of This." 
So saying, he stirred the spirit and might of all. 
Then sure the Trojans back again had hied 
O'ercome by cowardice, up into Ilion, 
Under attack of Ares-loved Achaians, 

75 Had not lord Helenos Priamides, 

The choicest augur versed in bird -flight lore, 
Approached and said to Hector and JSneas : 
" Since on You chiefly, Hector and iEneas, 
6 Of Trojans and of Lycians rests the toil, 
' For that the best at every push are ye 



BOOK Z. 157 

1 In fighting and in planning, — Keep ye here 

1 And check the men before the gates, and go 

1 On every side amongst them, ere they flee 

1 And fall into the embraces of their wives, 

1 And be a source of joy to all our foes. 

1 And when ye Ve haply enheartened all our lines, — 

1 We '11 still bide here, how hard soe'er distressed, 

1 And fight the Danaans : for Necessity 

' Is pressing on : but, Hector, thou meanwhile 

1 Go to the Town, and tell thy mother and mine ; 

1 And reverend elder women let her gather 

' Together to the Citadel and temple 

1 Of the bright-eyed Athene ; and when the doors 

1 With key she has opened of the sacred House, 

1 There at the knees of comely-tressed Athene 

1 A mantle let her lay, which seems to her 

' To be the largest in her halls and comeliest, 

1 And the most pleasing to herself: and heifers 

1 Untouched by goad, twelve yearlings, let her promise 

' To offer in her temple, — would she pity 

* The Town, — the Trojans' wives and infant babes ; 

1 And would she keep away that savage spearman, 

1 Terror's bold master, from our sacred Ilion, — 

1 Tydeides, whom indeed / think to be 

1 The strongest of the Achaians : and not ever 

' Feared we so much that leader of doughty men 

1 Achilles, who is born, they say, of goddess : 

t But This man rages furiously, and no one 

1 Can vie with Him in might." He spake : whereat 

Nothing was Hector slack to obey his brother ; 

But straight from forth his chariot to the ground 

He leapt with all his arms ; and brandishing 



158 THE ILIAD. VI. 

His pointed spears, went all about his host 

105 And cheered them on for fighting, and aroused 
The dreadful shout of battle, So about 
They turned themselves and faced the Achaian foe. 
Then went the Argives back and ceased from slaughter. 
Indeed they thought some Deathless god was come 
Down from the starry heaven to help the Trojans, 
Since so they faced about. Anon to his Trojans 

1 10 Aloud called Hector and exhorted them : 

" Ye high-souled Trojans, and ye allies far-summoned ! 
' Be Men, my friends, and of your furious might 
i Bethink yourselves, whilst I be gone to Ilion 
6 To bid our wives, and the elder men of counsel, 
' To pray the gods, and vow them hecatombs. " 

115 So saying, lord Hector of the glancing helm 
Departed ; and the dusky hide, — the rim, — 
That ran at edge about his bossy shield, 
Did knock his neck and ankles as he strode. 
Meanwhile, all eager for the fight, together 
Now came in midst betwixt both lines lord Glaucos, 

120 Son of Hippolochus, and Tydeus' son : 

And when they now were near to attack each other, 

Foremost then spake the doughty Diomed : 

" And who of mortal folk, bravest one, 

' Art Thou ? for never heretofore forsooth 

i Seen have I Thee i' th' man-ennobling fight : 

125 ' But now i faith far foremost art thou of all 
' In this thy boldness, in that here thou bidest 
1 My lengthy spear. But sons of luckless fathers 
1 Are they who face my prowess. If howe'er 
' One of the Deathless art thou come from heaven, 
1 For my part, 1 11 not fight 'gainst heavenly gods. 



BOOK Z. 159 

1 For no, not long-lifed was the son of Dryas, 

>0 ' Sturdy Lycurgos, who with heavenly gods 
* Dared to contend : for on a time he chased 
1 The nurses of the frenzied Dionysos 
' Down holy Nyssa's mount, and they were stricken 
1 With ox-goad by the slayer of men, Lycurgos, 
' Whereat they all at once to the earth let fall 
1 Their sacred implements ; and Dionysos, 

!5 s Affrighted, plunged beneath the salt-sea wave ; 
1 And to her bosom Thetis there received him 
' Scared as he was ; for mighty trembling seized him 
1 At the Man's threatening shout : with whom indeed 
' Wroth were the easy-living gods thereafter : 
1 And blind the son of Chronos rendered him : 
6 Nor did he live much longer ; for that hateful 

\Q ' Was he become to all the deathless gods. 

' So not v/ould / then fight 'gainst happy gods. 
' But if thou art of human kind who feed 
' On fruit of Earth, — draw near, so mayst thou meet 
' Thine utter Death at once." Then answered him 
The illustrious son of lord Hippolochus : 

[5 u High-souled Tydeides, why dost ask my race ? — 
' E'en as the race of leaves, — is That of men. 
1 Yea the wind sheds Those leaves indeed to the earth, 
1 And others does the budding wood put forth ; 
' And on they come in early tide of spring : 
' So mankind's generation : this puts forth, — 
' And That drops off. # But if wouldst learn this also, 

50 t That of Our race thou mayst be well assured, — 
' And many men do know it, — a Town there is 
' In inmost nook of horse-depasturing Argos, 

* Compare Ecclesiasticus xiy. 18, for remarkable similarity of idea, and words. 



160 THE ILIAD. VI. 

Called Ephyre, where once dwelt Sisyphus : 
Of men the craftiest was that Sisyphus, 
iEolides : now a son he gat him, — Glaucos : 

155 'Then Glaucos had a son, Bellerophontes, 

Blemishless ; for the gods vouchsafed to Him 

Both comeliness and manhood's winsome beauty. 

But Proetus in his heart devised him trouble : 

He drave him from the land (since far the mightiest 

Was He of Argives ; for beneath his sceptre 

Had Zeus subdued them) : now the wife of Proetus 

160 ' Noble Anteia, mad for love of him, 

Sought his clandestine converse : him howe'er 

She no-wise won, — the sage Bellerophontes, 

Whose thoughts were brave and good. So she with lies 

Went and accosted thus her lord, king Proetus : 

1 Wish thyself dead, Proetus, or slay at once 

i Bellerophontes, who would fain have come 

165 " Unto me 'gainst my will and lain with me." # 
She spake : then wrath gat hold upon her lord, 
Soon as he heard such manner of thing as that : 
To slay howe'er he shunned ; for of such deed 
A reverential fear had He at heart ; 
But sped him forth to Lycia, and engraved 
Within a folded tablet many a mark, 
Tokens of baneful import, life-destroying ; 

170 ' And He then gave and bade him shew the same 
(That he might perish) — to his father-in-law. 
With blameless escort of the gods howe'er 
To Lycia went he forth. And when at length 
To Lycia had he come and flowing Xanthus, — ■ 
The king of roomy Lycia honoured him 

* One might almost think this was from the 39th of Genesis. 



BOOK Z. 



161 



With ready soul and welcome : for nine days 

He entertained him, and nine beeves he slaughtered : 

And when the tenth rose-fingered Morn appeared, 

Then sure he questioned him and begged to see 

The token, whatsoe'er he brought from Proetus, 

His son-in-law. INow soon as he received 

His son-in-law's dispatch, the sign for mischief, 

Forthwith he bade his guest first go and slay 

The unconquerable Chimsera : She forsooth 

Was of a race divine, and not of men, — 

A lion before, dragon behind, and middle 

A she-goat, — breathing forth a terrible spirit 

Of blazing fire I E'en Her indeed he slew, 

Relying on signal tokens from the gods. 

Next, 'gainst the far-famed Solyinans* he fought : 

And this he said was sure the mightiest battle 

Of men, whereinto had he plunged. And third, 

The Amazons, a match for men, he slew. 

On his return howe'er his host contrived 

'Gainst him another close-laid trick : he chose 

His bravest men from out of roomy Lycia 

And set an ambuscade : but home again 

No-wise did They return ; for every one 

Did blemishless Bellerophontes kill. 

But when his host now learnt to know him thus 

A god's brave offspring, he detained him there ; 

And his own daughter he did give him too, 

And gave him half of all his kingly honour. 

Also the Lycians marked him off a glebe, 

Surpassing other fields,— good both for planting, 

And earing, for his use and habitation. 

* Probably the Jews. 

11 



162 THE ILIAD. VI. 

- Children she bare to sage Bellerophonte3, — 

i Isander, and Hippolochus, and third, 

i Laodameia : (intercourse had Zeus 

' The lord of Counsel with Laodameia, 

' And she brought forth the godlike prince Sarpedon, 

200 ' The brazen-harnessed :) — "When howe'er He also 
' Came to be hateful unto all the gods, 
' Lonely about the Aleian field he wandered 
' Gnawing his soul, shunning the path of men : 
1 For Ares, all insatiable of battle, 
' Slaughtered his son Isander in the field 
' Fighting against the far-famed Solymans : 

205 ' And smitten was his daughter unto death 
' By Artemis, of golden reins, in wrath. 
s But me Hippolochus begat, — and sprung 
' From him I boast to be : and forth to Troy 
' He sent me and laid full many a charge upon me, 
' Ever to be the bravest, and distinguished 
1 Beyond all others ; and to bring no shame 

210 ' Upon my fathers' race, who were by far 
' The very bravest both in roomy Lycia 
1 As too in Ephyre : I boast me then 
' Of this brave race and blood." He spake : whereat 
Right glad was Diomed the doughty in battle. 
Down in the bosky earth he stuck his spear, 
And straightway thus in courteous words addressed 

215 The pastor of the people : " Sure now of old 
' Thou art my friend — hereditary friend ! 
' For on a time prince Oineus entertained 
1 And stayed the blemishless Bellerophontes 
' With welcome twenty days within his halls : 
' And goodly guest-gifts gave they each to other : 



BOOK Z. 163 

' A belt all bright with crimson Oineus gave ; 

220 ' And lord Bellerophontes gave a goblet 

1 Golden, twin-cupped : and in my house I left it 
' At setting forth. But I remember not 
1 My father Tydeus ; for at home behind 
' He left me yet a babe, what time at Thebes 
1 The Achaians' army perished. Wherefore now 
4 Thy loving friend am /, I in mid Argos ; 

225 ' And My host Thou, in Lycia, whensoe'er 

1 To that land haply I come. But now with spears 
' Let us each other shun, though in the throng : 
' For many Trojans, and renowned allies 
1 There are for Me to slay, whome'er perchance 
' The god shall grant me, and I haply o'ertake : 
1 And many Achaians too for Thee to slaughter, 

230 ' Whome'er thou canst. But let us now exchange 
' Our harness each with other ; that all here 
' May know, that we avow ourselves to be 
1 Hereditary friends. " So saying they leapt 
Down from their chariots, and took hold of hands 
Each one of other, and exchanged their troth. 
Sure then Zeus Chronides bereft lord Glaucos 

235 Clean of his wits, who now exchanged his harness 
With Diomed Tydeides,— gold for brass, — 
Worth of a hundred beeves for that of nine. 
Meanwhile, as Hector reached the Scaian gates 
And the oak-tree,— about him there came running 
The Trojans' wives and daughters, all enquiring 
For sons and brothers, and for friends and husbands : 

240 Whereat he bade them all, one after other, 

Pray to the gods ; for o'er full many amongst them 
Trouble was hard at hand. But when he came 



164 THE ILIAD. VI. 

To Priam's beauteous palace, deftly wrought 
With polished corridors : (wherein were chambers 
Fifty, of polished stone, built near each other ; 

245 "Wherein together with their wedded consorts 

Slept all the sons of Priam : and o'er against them 
Within the court on the other side were ranged 
His daughters' chambers, twelve, of polished stone^ 
Under the roof, each builded near the other :; 
Wherein together with their tender wives 

250 The sons-in-law of Priam were wont to sleep) :■ — 
Here came to meet him his fond mother, leading 
Laodice, the comeliest of her daughters ; 
And straight she clasped his hand, and spake this word 
With utterance loud : " My son, why hast thou come 
' And left bold battle ? Now indeed full sore, 

255 ' Fighting hard by the City, do the foemen, 

' Sons of Aehaians,— Hateful name,— distress thee : 
6 And hither sure thy heart has urged thee come, 
' To uplift in prayer from forth the citadel 
1 Hands unto Zeus. But stay, till I shall fetch thee 
' Honey-smooth wine, wherewith mayst pour libation 
'To father Zeus and all the Deathless, first ; 

260 i And then thyself, if wouldst thou drink thereof, 

' Mayst have support ; for wine does mightily raise 
' A tired man's failing strength ; as tired art Thou, 
* Thus fighting for thy friends." Then answered her 
Tall Hector of the glancing helm : " Fetch not 
' Honey-smooth wine for rne, my lady mother ! 
265 ' Lest thou unnerve me, and 1 be unmindful 

I Of strength and courage. And of ruddy wine 

I I dread to pour libation forth to Zeus 

i With unwashed hands : for nowise is it lawful 



BOOK Z. 



165 



270 



275 



280 



285 



290 



Spattered with blood and gore to offer vows 
To cloud-wrapt Chronides. But Thou indeed 
Gather at once the aged women and go 
With incense to the temple of Athene 
The Forager : and lay thy fairest mantle, 
The largest in thy halls, e'en whichsoe'er 
Is to thyself most pleasing, at the knees 
Of comely-tressed Athene, and promise her 
An off 'ring of twelve heifers in her temple, 
Yearlings, untouched by goad, Would She but pity 
The Trojans' Town, and wives and infant babes ; 
And would she keep away that savage spearman, 
Terror's bold Master, e'en the son of Tydeus, 
From sacred Ilion. But forthwith go Thou 
Unto the Forager Athene's temple : 
And I '11 go seek for Paris, and I '11 call him, 
If haply willing shall he be to listen 
Unto my speech : Oh that the Earth beneath him 
Would yawn for Him ! for sure Olympian Zeus 
Has reared him up a mighty Bane to Trojans, 
And to great-hearted Priam and all his children. 
If Him going down to Hades might I see, 
Sure should I think my soul might clean forget 
Its joyless woe." He spake : whereat went She 
Unto the house, and bade her serving-women ; 
Anon throughout the City at once together 
They gathered the Elder women. She herself 
Down to her fragrant store-room went her way, 
Where were her mantles, rich with broidery-work, 
Work of Sidonian women, whom from Sidon 
Himself the godlike Alexander brought, 
Sailing the vasty deep, on that same voyage 



166 THE ILIAD. VI. 

Wherein forsooth he sailed away with Helen, 
The daughter of a noble sire. Of These 
The one that was the largest, and most comely 
With broidery -work, queen Hecuba now took, 

295 And carried for an offering to Athene : 

And star-like forth it beamed : and undermost 
Of all it lay in store. So stepped she her way, 
And following her went many an Elder lady. 
Now when they reached the temple of Athene 
Within the Citadel, — fair-cheeked Theano, 
Cisseis, wife of the horseman, old Antenor, 

300 Oped them the gates : for Priestess of Athene 
Her had the Trojans made. And with loud cry 
Unto Athene raised they all their hands : 
While she, the comely-cheeked Theano took 
The mantle, and then laid it at the knees 
Of beauteous-tressed Athene ; and vows with prayer 
She offered to the daughter of mighty Zeus : 

305 " Lady Athene, fair of goddesses ! 

' Guardian of Towns ! shiver now the spear 

' Of Diomed, and grant that he himself 

' May headlong fall before our Scaian gates I 

c So will we sacrifice within thy temple 

' Unto thee now forthwith twelve yearling heifers, 

i Untouched by goad, if wouldst thou haply pity 

310 ' The Town, the Trojans' wives and infant babes ! ,r 
So spake she praying : but Athene Pallas 
Refused to hear. So praying thus were They 
Unto the daughter of mighty Zeus. Meanwhile, 
Went Hector straight to Alexander's halls, 
A goodly palace, which himself had built 
With help of craftsmen, such as then were choicest 



BOOK Z. 109 

315 In Troy's rich cloddy land, men crafty in building ; 
Who made him, in the citadel, a palace, 
Yea high-roofed hall and court, hard by the halls 
Of Priam and of Hector. Thither now 
Entered lord Hector, dear to Zeus ; a lance, 
Eleven full cubits' length, he held in hand ; 
And the shaft's brazen point shone forth before him ; 

320 And circling round it was a golden ring: 
Him then he found all busy in his room 
About his goodly harness, — shield and corslet, 
And handling arrows and his crooked bow : 
Sitting was also there the Argive Helen 
Amongst her women-slaves, and giving orders 
Unto her handmaids in their glorious tasks. 

325 Hector now eyed him, and with ugly w r ords 

Reproached him thus : " Good Sir ! not well indeed 

1 This moody humour hast thou stored in heart ! 

1 Around the city and its lofty wall 

1 Our people fight and perish : and for Thee, 

' For sake of Thee, is blazing round this Town 

' The battle and shout of war : and Thou forsooth 

i Wouldst quarrel sure enough with any other 

330 ' Whom haply mightst thou see, so slack of hand, 
' Withdrawing from the hateful fight. But up ! 
' Or else perchance the Town shall soon be warmed 
6 By a consuming fire !" Then answered him 
The godlike Alexander : " Since with fitness, 
' And not past fitness, hast thou upbraided me, 
4 1 '11 therefore tell thee, Hector : and heed thou, 

335 ' And hearken unto me : sure not so much 

' From bile against the Trojans, nor from wrath, 
6 Was I here sitting in my room ; but rather 



168 THE ILIAD. VI. 

1 1 wished awhile to have given me up to grief. 
i But with soft words my consort now has won me 
* And urged me to the fight ; and e'en myself 
' Methinks 't will thus be better : for to warriors 
340 ' Victory shifts in turn. But come now, wait, 
6 Until I 've donned my fighting gear ; or go, 
: And I '11 come after ; and soon I think to catch thee." 
He said : whereat not ever a word in answer 
Spake Hector of the glancing helm ; to whom 
Anon spake Helen thus in gentle words : 
" brother-in-law of Me, this horrible Me, 
345 ' Mischievous she -hound,—- would that on that day 
' When first my mother bare me, a foul storm 

Of wind had swept me away to some far mountain, 

Or into billow of the boisterous deep ! 
; Then utterly, — ere These doings came to pass, — 

The wave had swallowed me ! But since the gods 
: Have thus determined all these heinous troubles, 
350 ' Then 'would I were the mate of a Better Man, 
: One that did understand both sense of shame 
' And mankind's common scoffs ! but This man's wits 

Are neither steadfast now, nor ever will be : 

Wherefore methinks he sure shall reap the fruit. 

But come now, brother-in-law, come in and sit thee 

Upon this chair ; for round thy heart most chiefly 
355 ' Has come distress, all on account of Me, 

f A she-hound, and through Alexander's folly : 

So to us both sad Fate has Jove awarded, — 

To be a Song notorious e'en hereafter 

For folk e'en yet unborn." Then answered her 
Tall Hector of the glancing helm, and said : 
360 u Bid me not sit ; for kind howe'er thy welcome, 



BOOK Z. 169 

'Thou shalt not, Helen, persuade me : for already 
1 My heart is all in haste to help the Trojans, 
i Who sorely miss me now that I 'm away \ 
' But Thou, wake up this fellow : Let him also 
1 Himself bestir to haste, that he may catch me, 
' While yet I 'm in the Town. For I '11 e'en go 

365 ' But home, and see my household, my dear wife 
' And infant boy. For I wist not, if yet 
' Back again ever shall I come to them ; 
1 Or whether now the gods will make me fall 
' Under the Achaians' hands." Away, so saying, 
Went Hector of the glancing helm : and soon 

370 Unto his pleasant dwelling-house he came. 

White-armed Andromache howe'er he found not 
Within the palace ; but in tears and wailing, 
Together with her child and fair-robed handmaid, 
Standing upon the tower was she. So Hector, 
When indoors found he not his faultless wife, 
Came to the threshold, where he stopped, and thus 

375 Unto the women-slaves he spake : " Now, maidens, 
' Come, tell me true ; whither away has gone 
■ White-armed Andromache from forth the house ? 
' Unto her husband's sisters is she gone ; 
1 Or haply to my brothers' fair-robed wives ? 
' Or unto Athene's temple, where indeed 
' Are other Trojan fair-tressed women, seeking 

380 ' To appease the terrible goddess ?" Unto him 
Then spake the ready stewardess this word : 
" Hector ! now since thou bidst me sure tell true, — 
' Nor to her husband's sisters is she gone, 
1 Nor to thy brothers' fair-robed wives, nor yet 
1 Unto Athene's temple, where indeed 



170 THE ILIAD. VI. 

4 Are other Trojan fair-tressed women, seeking 

385 ' To appease the terrible goddess : but she 's gone 
i Up the great tower of Ilion : for she heard 
1 How that the Trojans were full sore distressed, 
i And how the Achaians' mastery was great. 
' To the town-wall now gone indeed is She 
' In haste, like one all frantic ; and the nurse 
' Carries the infant with her." Thus then spake 

390 The woman of the store-room : then lord Hector, 
He darted from the house the same way back, 
Along the well-built streets. Now when he had passed 
Through the great Town, and reached the Scaian gates, 
(For 'twas thereout that he must pass abroad) 
Thither came running all in haste to meet him 
His rich-dow rd wife, Andromache, the daughter 

395 Of mighty-souled Eetion,— prince Eetion, 

Who dwelt below the woody height of Placos, 
In Hypoplacian Thebe, where he ruled 
O'er the Cilician warriors : 'twas His daughter 
Was wife unto the brazen-harnessed Hector. 
So now she met him : and along with her 
Her handmaid came, and carried at her bosom 

400 A child of tender mind, a helpless babe, 
Beloved Hectorides, like a star, comely : 
Scamandrius — was lord Hector wont to call him ; 
But others all, — Astyanax — (the lord, 
Or master, o'er the Town) ; for alone Hector 
Protected Ilion. Now upon his babe 
He looked— and smiled— in silence; while in tears 

405 Beside him stood Andromache : anon 

Fast clung she unto his hand, and spake this word, 
And uttered it aloud : " O this thy courage, 



BOOK Z. 171 

1 Good Sir, will sure destroy thee : and no pity 

1 Hast thou upon thine infant babe, and me, 

i Unhappy me, that soon shall be thy widow : 

' For soon on Thee will all the Achaians rush 

i Yea furiously and slay : and, reft of Thee, 

' 'T were then more gain for me to have plunged at once 

1 Under the Earth : for no spark else of comfort 

i Would longer then remain, but only grief, 

1 Whensoever Thou shouldst meet thy fate : and I 

1 Have neither father now nor lady mother. 

' For prince Achilles outright slew my father : 

1 And the Cilicians' Town, high-gated Thebe, 

' That fair abode, he sacked ; and slew Eetion ; 

1 But stripped him not of harness : for of That 

1 He was at heart afraid ; but burned him down 

1 Together with his fair-wrought arms ; and o'er him 

1 He raised a mound: and mountain-nymphs, the daughters 

1 Of JEgis-bearing Zeus, — the Oreiades, 

1 Planted encircling elms. And the seven brothers 

' I had within our palace, — in one day 

' Into the abode of Hades went they all : 

' For prince Achilles, the swift-footed, slew them 

' Yea all, amongst our sluggish-footed cows 

1 And white-woolled ewes. My mother too, w T ho reigned 

' 'Neath Placos' woody height,— Her he brought hither 

i With all her treasured wealth, when soon he took 

' A countless ransom-price, and free again 

i He let her go, did He ; but Artemis, 

' The arrow-loving queen, with shaft soon smote her 

' Within her father's halls.— But, Hector,— Thou 

' To Me art father,— Thou — my lady mother, — 

i My brother too; and Thou— my blooming consort. 



172 THE ILIAD. VI. 

' But come now, do have pity ; by this tower 
' Stay here ; lest of thy boy thou make an orphan, 
4 And widow of thy wife. And place thy troops 
' Near the wild fig-tree ; for most easily -assailed 
' The Town is there, and scalable the Wall. 
435 \ For three times e'en thereat have come the boldest 
' And made attempt : troops following either Ajax, 
4 And far-renowned Idomeneus : troops also 
' With Atreus' sons, and the strong son of Tydeus. 
1 Some one, I ween, well-skilled in prophecies, 
1 Has told our foes thereof, — or of themselves 
4 E'en their own heart upstirs them to it and urges." 
440 Anon, tall Hector of the glancing helm 

Thus answered her : " Yea, wife, these matters all 
I also have at heart : but sure full strangely 
'Trojans and sweeping mantled Trojan ladies 
Do I regard, were I to skulk aloof, 
Coward like, from the fight ; nor so forsooth 
Does my heart bid me : for I've learnt betimes 
445 ' To be bold always, and to fight in front 

Among the foremost Trojans, and maintain 
My father's great renown, and mine own also. 
For this I know full well in heart and soul, — 
: The day shall be, some time, when sacred Ilion 
Shall perish utterly, and also Priam 
Famed for good ashen spear, and all Priam's people. 
450 ' Yet not the Trojans' painsome woes hereafter 
Have I so much at heart, nor yet the woes 
Of Hecuba herself, nor of king Priam, 
Nor of my brothers, who, both many and bold, 
Shall haply fall beneath the foemen's prowess 
Low in the dust, — as have I Thee at heart, 



BOOK Z. 173 

i What time shall some one of the brass-mailed Argives 

455 ' Haply bereave thee of the day of freedom, 

i And lead thee in tears avvay : and living yonder 

* In Argos— thou shouldst have to weave the web 

1 At other woman's bidding; and shouldst fetch 

' Water from forth the spring of Hypereia, 

1 Or of Messeis, sore against thy will. 

' But hard Necessity would press upon thee. 

' And haply some one, seeing thee shedding tears, 

460 ' Should say on a time, u This was the wife of Hector y 
" Who of all the Trojan horsemen was infighting 
" Ever the bravest, when they fought round Ilion .*"' 
1 So shall one haply say some time ; whereat 
' On Thee shall grief arise all fresh again 
' From want of husband able to ward off 
' Thy day of slavery. But may a mound of earth 

465 ' Cover me down in death, 'fore ever I hear 
^ ' Of Thy; being carried off, and Thy loud cry." 
So saying, illustrious Hector stretched him forth 
To reach his babe. The child howe'er turned shrieking 
Back to the comely-girdled nurse's bosom, 
All in amaze at the aspect of his father, 
And frighted at the brass, and at his crest 

470 Shaggy with horse-hair, as he noticed it 

Nodding full grimly from the helmet's top :. 
Whereat forthwith out laughed the babe's dear father 
And lady mother. Straight from off his head 
Illustrious Hector took his helm and laid it, 
All glittering, on the ground. And when he had kissed 
His own dear boy, and dandled him in arms, 

475 He prayed to Zeus and all the gods, and said : 
fi Zeus, and all ye gods ! now grant yea this 



174 THE ILIAD. VI. 

1 My child here to become among the Trojans 
" Yea, e'en as I, distinguished, all so bold 
' In prowess, and to rule with mighty sway 
' O'er Ilion. And may some one say, on a time, 
' Of him returning from the fight, — " Far braver 

480 " Is This man than his sire ; " — and may he slaughter 
1 The foeman, and bring back the bloody spoil ; 
' And may his mother in her heart rejoice." 
So saying, he put his boy babe into the arms 
Of his dear wife ; and to her fragrant bosom 
The babe straight took she, laughing through her tears ; 
Her lord perceived it and had pity upon her, 

485 Caressed her with his hand, and spake this word, 
And uttered it aloud : " Dear lady, pr'ythee, 
' Be not thus troubled in thy heart o'ermuch : 
' For me shall no man send beyond my Fate 
i Untimely down to Hades. For I ween, 
' No one of all mankind that e'er is born, 
' Noble or base, escapes his Destined Fate. 

490 ' But go thou into the house, and there attend 

' To thine own business, — to the loom and distaff ; 
' And bid thine handmaids ply their wonted task : 
1 And War shall be the charge of Men, of all 
' Born here in Ilion, and My charge most chiefly. " 
So saying, illustrious Hector took forthwith 

495 His horse-tailed helmet : and her homeward way 
Went his dear wife, turning her oft about, — 
Shedding the big, warm tear : and soon she reached 
The pleasant dwelling-house of slaughterous Hector; 
And indoors found her many serving women ; 
And 'mongst them all she raised a mournful wailing : 

500 They in his house indeed did mourn for Hector, — 



BOOK Z. 175 

Yet living : for they thought that nevermore 

Escape would he the Achaians' hands and rage, 

And come again returning from the battle. 

Nor in his lofty halls did Paris loiter : 

But He too, when he had donned his famous harness 

Inwrought with brass, — then hied him through the City, 

505 Relying on his feet of rapid swiftness. 

As when some stalled horse, fed full at crib, 

Might break away his halter, and abroad 

He stamps,— he spurns the ground, — he scuds forth, 

proudly, — 
Wonted to bathe in some fair river-stream ; 
And up he holds his head aloft ; and tossed, 
His flowing mane waves whisking o'er his shoulders ; 

510 And he— relying on his glorious beauty, — 
Lightly his knees forth carry him along, 
Unto the haunts and pastures of the mares ; — 
So from the height of Pergamos did Paris 
Priamides, in harness glittering bright 
Like as the beaming sun, come stepping, — crowing — 
Loud ; and his fleet legs carried him : and quickly 

515 He found the noble prince his brother Hector, 
Just as be was about to turn away 
From where but now he prattled with his wife. 
To him spake first the godlike Alexander : 
" My lord and brother ! sure now by my loitering 
1 I'm here detaining thee full fain for haste ; 
1 Nor am I come in season, as thou badst me." 

520 Whereat then Hector of the glancing helm 

Answered him thus and said : " Good Sir ! Not Thee 
'Would any man, of righteous heart, hold lightly 
1 For doughty deed in battle ; for thou 'rt bold. 



176 THE ILIAD. VI. 

1 But thou both idle&t wittingly, and hasfc 
' No Wish : and this my heart is grieved in spirit^ 
' When about Thee I hear disgraceful sayings 
525 ' From Trojans, whore engaged in heavy toil 
' For sake of Thee. But let us go : all this 
' We '11 mend hereafter 'mongst us ; if but haply 
6 Shall Zeus e'er grant us in our halls to set 
' The Bowl of Freedom up to the heavenly gods, 
1 The everliving ; and from Trojan coast 
' To drive away the fair-greaved Argives' host." 



BOOK H. 



177 



ARGUMENT OF THE SEVENTH BOOK. H. 

Hector and Paris go forth, to the "battle ; and with Glaucos they kill many 
of the foe. By the advice of his brother Helenos the soothsayer, Hector 
challenges to single combat any one of the Achaian champions ; who 
thereupon cast lots for deciding who shall accept the challenge. The lot 
falls to TeLamonian Ajax. They fight till the darkness of evening parts 
them without decisive issue, when they interchange gifts. A truce is 
agreed on, and each side withdraw and bury their dead. The Achaians 
raise a great wall to strengthen their encampment, at which Poseidon 
is wroth with them; and Zeus displays tokens of ill omen during the 
night season. 

ETA : prince Hector fights in single combat 
With greater Ajax, son of Telamon, 



10 



So saying, from out the gates illustrious Hector 
Rushed forward ; and together with him went 
His brother Alexander : and at heart 
They both forsooth were fain for battle and fighting. 
And as when unto longing shipmen, wearied 
With smiting the deep sea with shapely oars, — 
When slackened are their- limbs with weariness, — 
The god vouchsafes fair wind ; e'en so, these twain 
Appeared right welcome to the longing Trojans. 
Then slaughtered they : and Paris killed Menesthius. 
The lord Areithoos' son, who dwelt at Arne; 
Whom to Areithoos, famed for war-club weighty, 
The comely-eyed Philomeduse bare. 

12 



178 THE ILIAD. VII. 

And Hector darted with his beechen lance 

And smote Eioneus, beneath the brim, 

Strong-brazen, of his helmet, in his neck ; 

And loosed his limbs. Anon, with spear lord Glaucos, 

The Lycian chief, son of Hippoloehos, 

Smote in stern fight Iphinoos, son of Dexes, 

15. Upon his shoulder, just as he was leaping 
Into his chariot swift ; so from his chariot 
To the earth he pitched, and loosened were his limbs. 
Now when the goddess of bright eyes, Athene, 
Noted them slaughtering thus the Achaian chiefs 
In sturdy fight,, — forth from Olympus' tops 
She darted down, and came to sacred Ilion. 

20 Meanwhile, from Pergamos down looked Apollo, 
And hied him forth to. meet her ; for He wished 
The mastery with the Trojans. So these twain, 
They met together near the oak. And Her 
Jove's son the lord Apollo first addressed : 
" Daughter of mighty Zeus, — and why so fast 

25 ' Art come now from Olympus ? what great mood . - 
' Has urged thee ? Is 't that now mayst give the victory 
1 Shifting in battle to yon Danaan side ? 
6 For pity hast thou none on perishing Trojans. 
1 But if wouldst heed me at all (which were indeed 
' By far -more gain), — Let us now stop the war 
' And battle-strife this day : fight shall they again 

30 ' Hereafter, till they come to an end of Ilion ; 
' Since thus it pleases well you goddesses, — 
' E'en the sheer overthrow of this vast City." 
Anon the goddess of bright eyes, Athene, 
Answered him : " Far-shooter ! Be it e'en so I 
1 For with same thoughts I 'm come from forth Olympus 



book H. 179 

35 ' Myself, both unto Trojans and Achaians. 

1 But come, in what way dost thou wish to check 

1 The battle of men ?" Straight answered her Jove's son 

The lord Apollo : " Uprouse we the strong might 

' Of the horseman Hector, so He all alone 

1 Shall challenge any one soe'er of Argives 

40 ' To fight him face to face in terrible combat : 

' Whereat will they, the brazen-greaved Achaians,. 
1 Be wroth, and send some single champion out, 
1 To battle with prince Hector." Spake he thus :. 
Nor was the goddess of bright eyes, Athene, 
Slack to comply. Now soon had Helenos, 
King Priam's dear son, an inkling in his heart 

45 Of the design, that pleased these gods in counsel r 
So went he and stood by Hector, and thus told 
The matter to him : u Hector, son of Priam, 
1 Match unto Zeus in wisdom ! Wouldst now heed 
1 A somewhat I would say ? and I am thy brother. 
1 Make every Trojan sit, and all the Achaians : 

50 ' And challenge thou of the Argives whosoever 
' Is bravest, face to face to fight with thee 
! In terrible combat : for thy Destiny 
1 Is not as yet to die and meet thy Doom : 
1 For thus heard I the voice of the Everliving." 
He spake : and mightily was Hector joyed 
At hearing of the matter : unto the midst 

55 Forthwith he came, and held his lance by its middle 
And kept the Trojans back ; and They all sat. — 
Then Agamemnon made his fair-greaved Argives 
Also to sit. Anon, in guise of birds, 
E'en vultures,— both Athene and Apollo, 
Lord of the Silver Bow, now perched themselves 



180 THE ILIAD. VII. 

Upon a lofty oak of father Zeus 
60 The iEgis-bearer, whence they took delight 

At seeing the men ; where close-packed sat their lines, 
Bristling with lances and round shields and helmets. 
And as upon the deep a ripple is spread 
At the fresh rising of the North West Zephyr, 
And under it the deep grows dark ; e'en so, 
65 The lines of both the A^haians and the Trojans 
Now sat upon the plain : and 'twixt both sides 
Hector spake thus : " Now hear ye me, Trojans, 
1 And fair-greayed Argives, while I speak before you 
' E'en as the spirit within my heart commands me. 

- Chronides on his lofty throne indeed 

' Has not confirmed our treaties, but he plots, 
70 • And is ordaining troubles an us both, 

■ Till either you shall take Troy's fair-walled City, 
6 Or you yourselves be slain beside your ships, 

i Traversers of the deep. With you indeed 

- Are here the noblest chiefs of all the Achaians ; 
6 Of whom let any one soe'er, whose heart 

f Now bids him fight with me, come forward hither 
75 ' From out the rest, as champion 'gainst prince Hector. 

■ Such is my word — (and unto us herein 

( May Zeus be Witness) :— If shall He perchance 
* With long-edged sword slay Me,— then let him strip me 
' Of arms, and bear them off to his hollow ship, 
' And give my body home again ; that Trojans 
80 i And Trojans' wives may grant me in my death 
'The rights of funeral fire. But if perchance 
i Slay Him shall I, and unto Me Apollo 
1 Shall grant the glory, — I '11 strip him of his arms, 
' And unto sacred Ilion carry and hang them 



BOOK H. 181 

' r th' temple of Apollo, the Far-shooting : 

' And back to his well-benched ships 1 11 send his corse, 

85 ' So that with solemn rites the long-haired Argives 
' May bury him, and heap his funeral-mound 
' Up o'er against the breadth of Hellespont. 
1 ASid haply say shall some one, e'en of men 
' As yet unborn, as o'er the purple deep 
1 He sails in many-oared ship : " That is the token 
" Of a bold Chieftain long ago deceased, — 

90 H Bravest erewhile, whom glorious Hector slew." 
' So shall one say some time :. and this my Glory 
' Shall never perish." Spake he thus : whereat 
In silent stillness were they all : indeed 
They feared to accept, — and yet to avoid the challenge 
They felt ashamed. After long time howe'er 
Up stood and spake amongst them Menelaus, 
95 With taunt upbraiding them ; and heavily 

He groaned in spirit : " Alas, Oh Me ! — Ye boasters ! 
' Ye Achaian women ! Achaian men no longer! 
* Sure now disgrace indeed shall all this be, — 
' Horror of horrors ! —if to meet prince Hector 
1 None of the Danaans now steps forth ! — But You, 
' May ye be turned at gnce to earth and water, 

100 ' All as ye sit here heartless, every one, — 
' Ingloriously as ever ! — But here J, 
' I '11 arm me against this man : yet victory's issues 
1 Depend upon the deathless gods above." — 
So- saying, he forthwith donned his goodly harness. 
Then baply> Menelaus, had been seen 
The ending of thy life in Hector's hands, 

105 For stronger was he far, — had not the princes 
Of Argives risen in haste and held thee back. 



182 THE ILIAD. VII. 

And e'en Atreides, broad-realmed Agamemnon, 
Caught hold of thy right hand, and spake the word 
And uttered it aloud : "Sure art thou witless, 
1 Prince Menelaus ! yet such thoughtlessness 

110 ( As this becomes thee not : but, grieved howe'er, 
' Be patient : nor desire, from love of combat, 
' To fight against an abler man than thou, 
1 Hector Priamides ; whom here e'en all 
' Dread with sheer horror : and e'en prince Achilles, 
' Who is abler far than thou, shudders to meet 
' Him forsooth in the man-ennobling combat. 

115 ' But thou, go sit thee among thy comrades' host : 
' And other champion shall the Achaians find 
' To stand 'gainst Him. Fearless howe'er he is, 
1 And though unsated yet with din of battle, 
' Glad Shall he be, methinks, to bend his knee 
' For rest, if e'er he 'scapes from slaughterous fight 
' And terrible battle- strife." So spake the chief, 

120 With meet advice, to turn his brother's heart ; 

And turned he was : whereat forthwith his pages, 
Joyful, took off his harness from his shoulders. 
Then up stood Nestor and addressed the Achaians : 
" Shame ! now comes a mighty sorrow indeed 
' Upon the Achaian Land : lament indeed 

125 ' Mightily shall the aged horseman Feleus, 

'The Myrmidons' brave spokesman and adviser, 
i Who used erew r hile with joy to question me 
1 And a3k me of all the Argives' race and offspring. 
' Of whom all cowering now through dread of Hector 
' Were he to hear,— oft would he raise his hands 

130 ' Unto the Deathless, that his soul might quit 

1 His limbs and plunge down into Hades' dwelling. 



book H. 183 

1 father Zeus, Athene, and Apollo ! 

1 'Would were I now in manhood's blooming prime, 

' As when the Pylians and the Arcadian spearmen 

1 Were gathered near the swift-flowing Celadon, 

1 And fought beside the stream of Jardanus 

1 Before the walls of Pheie : amongst them rose 

' A godlike man, their champion, Ereuthalion, 

1 Wearing the harness of the lord Areithoos 

" Upon his shoulders : yea, of prince Areithoos, 

* Whom men and comely-girdled women also 
4 Were wont to call by surname " Corynetes" 

4 (Mace-bearer), for that not with bow and arrows 

4 Or lengthy spear used he to fight, but ever 

4 With iron club he used to break through lines : 

4 Him did Lycourgos kill by subtlety, — 

4 Not e'er by strength indeed, — in a strait path, 

4 Wherein his iron mace availed him not 

4 To ward off death : for with his lance Lycourgos 

4 Beforehand hied and pierced him through the middle ; 

1 And backward was he pressed upon the ground : 

4 And of his arms, that brazen Ares gave, 

* Lycourgos clean despoiled him ; and thereafter 
4 Wore them himself in toil and moil of Ares. 

4 But when Lycourgos in his halls grew old, 

4 To Ereuthalion gave he them to wear, — 

1 His favourite page : so wearing them he challenged 

4 Our bravest champions all : but sore afraid 

4 Were they and quaked with fear, and not one ventured : 

1 But my staunch heart in boldness urged me on 

' To engage in combat ; yet of all in age 

4 The youngest was I : and with Him I fought, 

'And unto me Athene gave the glory. 



184 THE ILIAD. VII. 

155 ' Him sure the tallest and the strongest man 
' I slaughtered : Ah ! a bulky sort of one 
i Sprawling he lay all here and there I 'Would now 
s I were as youthful, and my strength as firm ; 
' Then soon should Hector of the glancing helm 
' Meet me in combat ! But of You, yea here, 
i The noblest chiefs of all the allied Achaians, 

160 l No never a one is fain with ready soul 

6 To go and meet prince Hector ! " Thus the old man 
Upbraided them : then up stood these full nine : 
Far foremost started up the chief of chieftains 
Lord Agamemnon : after him uprose 
Strong Diomed Tydeides : after them 
Eose either Ajax, clad in furious might : 

165 Anon together rose Idomeneus, 

And lord Idomeneus' attendant squire 
Meriones, a match for slaughterous Ares : 
And after them, Evaimon's gallant son 
Eurypylos : — and up rose also Thoas 
Son of Andrsemon ; and the prince Odusseus. 
All these forsooth did wish to fight prince Hector. 

170 To these now by themselves outspake the horseman 
Gerenian Nestor : " Draw ye now by lot, 
' 'Mongst ye throughout, for whom the lot shall fall : 
1 For now shall He both help the fair-greaved Argives, 
' And also help shall he enjoy himself 
1 In his own life, if haply shall he escape 
1 From out the slaughterous fight and terrible battle." 

175 He spake : whereat they marked each one his lot, 
And cast them into Agamemnon's helmet. 
The soldiers meanwhile prayed, and to the gods 
Upraised their hands : and eyeing the broad heaven 



book H. 185 

On this wise 'gan one say : " father Zens !. 
' Grant now that Ajax win, or Tydeus' son, 

180 ' Or else himself, the king of rich Mycene." 

In such sort spake they, while the aged horseman 
Gerenian Nestor shook the lots : then forth 
From out the helmet leapt the lot they wished, 
The lot of Ajax : and the herald bare it 
Throughout the assembled throng all round in turn^ 
And shewed it unto all the Achaian princes 

185 From left to right. But recognizing not, 

They each disowned it : when howe'er at length, 
Bearing it still through all the throng, he reached 
Him who had scratched his mark thereon and cast it 
Into the helmet, — even illustrious Ajax, — 
Forth stretched he at once his hand, and standing near 
Gave him the lot ; the mark whereof he eyed 

190 And recognized, and in his heart was glad. 

To the earth then by his foot he threw the lot, 

And outspake thus : " friends, 'tis mine of surety t 

' And in my very heart I do rejoice ; 

1 For sure prince Hector do I think to vanquish - 

1 But come ye, whilst my harness for the combat 

1 I 'm putting on,. — do Ye in silence pray 

195 i Unto lord Zeus Chronion, by yourselves> 
1 So that at least the Trojans may not hear :: 
i Or e'en aloud ; since no one dread we at alL 
' For none at will shall e'er, despite my will, 
1 Chase me away, by force at least,, nor yet 
( Through lack in mo of knowledge : since I hope 
' I've not been born and reared in Salamis 

200 ' So witless quite as that forsooth." He spake ; 
Then prayed they unto Zeus the lord Chronion. 



186 THE ILIAD. VII. 

And eyeing vasty heaven thus 'gan one say : 

" Zeus father ! most honoured, most mighty, 

' Guardian of Ida ! vouchsafe now to Ajax 

1 To obtain the victory and his glorious prayer : 

i But if indeed thou lovest Hector also, 

205 ' And art concerned for Him,— -then unto both 

' Grant equal strength and glory." Spake they thus. 
In gleaming brass meanwhile did Ajax arm him. 
And when about his limbs he had donned his harness, 
Then forth he rushed apace, in gait like such 
As Ares comes, huge, frightful, when he strides 
Into the fight 'mongst war-men, whom Chronion 

2 10 Has brought together on the field to combat 
In battle-rage of heart-consuming Strife. 
Suchlike arose the Achaians' great Defence, 
Huge Ajax, smiling grim with terrible visage : 
Far-striding on his feet below, he marched, 
Shaking his lengthy spear. And sure on Him 
Did the Argives look and were forsooth full glad : 

215 But on the Trojans came a fearful trembling 

O'er each man's limbs : and e'en prince Hector's heart 

Within his breast beat loud and fast : but shrink 

He might not ever a whit, nor yet withdraw 

Into the gathered throng again of men, 

Since challenged had he to the fight. Meanwhile, 

Ajax drew near at hand, bearing a shield 

220 Like unto a tower, brazen, of seven bulls' hides, 

The which was wrought and made for him by Tychius, 
Who dwelt in Hyle, and was far the deftest 
Of leather-workers : He 'twas made the buckler- 
Handy for wielding, — layers of seven ox hides, 
Well-fatted bulls ; and laid on brass for the eighth. 



BOOK H. 



187 



With this before his breast now stood prince Ajax, 

225 The son of Telarnon, right near to Hector, 

And thus with threats addressed him : " Now for surety 

. Well shalt thou know, Hector, all alone, 

4 What manner of chieftains here the Danaans have, 

1 E'en yet beside Achilles— lion-hearted, 

1 Breaker of foernen's ranks : but He forsooth, 

1 All wroth 'gainst Agamemnon the hosts' pastor, 

230 ' Lies idle at his crook-beaked, sea-swift ships : 
1 Yet We, yea many a one, are such i 1 faith 
1 As face to face may match ourselves with Thee. 
' But come, Begin the combat and the battle/' 
Anon tall Hector of the glancing helm 
Thus answered him : " son of Telarnon, 
' Leader of men, prince Ajax ! Make not trial 

235 * Of Me, as though of weakling boy, or woman, 
' That has no knowledge of the deeds of war. 
' But I 'm well skilled in fights and slaughter of men ; 
i I 've skill to wield the dry bull's-hide on right, 
1 I ve skill on left,— and thus have I for fighting 
' A tough defence : and in the close pitched battle 

240 ' I Ve skill to tread tho dance of slaughterous Ares : 
' Skill too to dash along on chariot swift 
* For battle shock. But come, for I 've no wish 
6 To watch by stealth and hit the like of Thee, — 
' But openly ; if haply can I reach thee." 
He spake ; then poised, and launched his lengthy spear, 

245 And hit the shield of Ajax,- his dread buckler 
Of seven bulls' hides, upon the outmost brass, 
Which thereupon was eighth. And through six plates 
The sturdy brass went cleaving : but stuck fast 
In that seventh hide. Prince Ajax next in turn 



188 THE ILIAD. VII. 

Hurled forth his lengthy-hafted spear and hit 

250 The full round buckler of Priamides. 

Eight through the splendid buckler went indeed 

The weighty spear, and through the embroidered corslet 

Was planted ; and straight on, beside his flank, 

The spear cut through his coat : but swerved he aside, 

And so 'scaped gloomy Death. Now both at once, 

255 Their lengthy spears forth plucked they with their hands, 
And to it they fell together, — like wild boars, 
Or raw-devouring lions, whose might forsooth 
Not easily is exhausted. With his lance 
Priamides now hit his foe's mid shield ; . 
Yet shattered not the brass thereof; but back 
Bent was the spear-point. On sprang Ajax then 

260 And pricked the foeman's buckler ; and right through 
The spear went forth,, and smote him pressing forward ; 
And cutting reached his neck, wherefrom forthwith 
The dark blood spouted up. Yet for all that, 
Not did prince Hector of the glancing helm 
Leave off the fight ; but stepped him back and seized 
With sturdy hand a stone, black, rough, and huge, 

265 That lay upon the ground, and hit therewith 
The terrible shield of Ajax,— seven bulls'-hides, 
On the mid boss, whereat the brass all round 
Did ring again. But now a stone much bigger 
Prince Ajax lifted up, and whirling— sent it, 
And put forth strength immense : and therewith hitting 

270 As with a millstone, brake right into the shield 

And lamed his foe's dear knees : and outstretched low 

All dashed against the shield he lay supine :: 

But lo !. Apollo straightway set him up. 

And now with swords they each had wounded other, 



book H. 189 

Close hand to hand, if heralds had not come, 
The messengers of Zeus as also of men, 

275 Talthybius and Idaios, prudent both, — 

This one of Trojans, — that of brass-mailed Argives. 
In midst, 'twixt both the combatants they held 
Their sceptres; and the herald Idaios, versed 
In many a prudent counsel, spake this word : 
u No longer battle ye, dear lads, nor fight : 

280 ' For the cloud-gatherer Zeus does love you both ; 
1 And doughty warriors are ye both : yea This 
' Now know we all forsooth : but coming on 
6 Already is Night ; and unto Night 'tis well 
1 At once to yield compliance/' Whereupon 
The Telamonian Ajax answered him : 
" Idaios ! Bid ye Hector name such matters ! 

285 ' For 'twas himself who challenged all our bravest 
1 Forth to the combat : let him then begin ; 
' And readily I'll comply, should He the same." 
Anon tall Hector of the glancing helm 
Thus answered him : " Ajax ! since the god 
' Has given thee strength and height, and wit to boot, 
( And far the doughtiest art thou with the spear 

290 ' Of all the Achaians, Let us cease this day 

' From battle and slaughter; and we'll fight again 
1 Hereafter, till such time as Luck shall part us, 
' And give the victory unto one or t' other : 
' But Night is now at hand, and unto Night 
' 'Tis well to yield compliance. So mayst Thou 
1 Cheer all the Achaians at their ships, and chiefly 

295 ' All thine own friends and comrades : I, meanwhile, 
( Throughout king Priam's mighty Town, I'll gladden 
' The Trojan men, and long-robed Trojan women, 



190 THE ILIAD. VII. 

1 Who soon will get them to a holy assembly 

' And pray for me. But come now, Let us both — 

' Each unto other—give right noble gifts, 

300 ' So that on this wise every one may say 

' 'Mong Trojans and Achaians, — " Fight indeed 
" For sheer heart-eating Strife they did together,— 
" And parted— bound in loving bond of friendship." 
So saying, a silver-studded sword he proffered 
And gave with scabbard and its fair-cut belt. 

305 And Ajax gave a girdle bright with scarlet. 
Then parted they asunder ; and to the host 
Of Argives came the one, while went the other 
Into the throng of Trojans ; and full glad 
Were they, to see him come alive and sound, 
'Scaped from the fury and unmatched hands of Ajax , 

310 And, beyond utmost hope he could be safe, 

They led him. to the Town. On the other side 

The fair-greaved Argives also led lord Ajax, 

Joyful in vict'ry, to prince Agamemnon. 

And when within the camp-huts of Atreides 

They now were come, forthwith the chief of chieftains 

315 Lord Agamemnon sacrificed a bull 

Of five years age to Zeus the high and mighty. 

They flayed and dressed him, and disjointed all ; 

Then skilfully they cut him up and spitted, 

And deftly broiled, and drew all off the spits. 

And when they had ceased this toil and dressed the feast,- 

320 They feasted, and the soul had never a want 

Of a brave feast. And broad-realmed Agamemnon 
The lord Atreides honoured doughty Ajax 
With slices from the chine, the mess of honour. 
And when at length they had put away desire 



BOOK H. 



191 



For meat and drink, — forthwith his crafty advice 
Old Nestor foremost thus began to shape, 

325 E'en he whose counsel seemed the best aforetime : 
And now with kindly thought and sage he spake 
And thus addressed them: " Hearken, Atreides, 
' And all ye nobles of the allied Achaians, — 
1 Dead now are many of our long-haired Argives, 
1 Whose purple blood hasty Ares has here shed 
1 Along fair-flowing Scamander, and their souls 

330 ( Are gone below to Hades : Wherefore Thee 
i It sure behoves to stay the Achaians' fighting 
1 To-morrow morn, and let us bring together 
' And wheel along, with mule-wains and with oxen, 
1 Our dead all hither : and well burn their bodies, 
4 Some little from the ships ; that for their sons, 
' Whene'er we sail for fatherland again, 

335 ' May each take home with him the father's bones : 
4 Then march we out and heap about the pyre 
' One common undistinguished funeral mound 
4 Outside the plain ; and near it quickly build 
* High bulwarks, shelter for ourselves and ships : 
' And gates therein strong-fitted let us make, 

340 ' Wherethrough may be a road for driving chariots ; 
4 And a deep trench hard by we'll dig outside, 
4 Which there-along may keep off horse and foot ; 
4 Lest ever should the lordly Trojans' war 
' Press on us heav'ly." Spake he thus : whereat 
The chieftains all approved forthwith. Meanwhile, 

345 Was held within the citadel of Ilion, 

Before the gates of Priam, an assembly 
All fearful, strange, disorderly, of Trojans. 
And foremost thus began to speak before them 



192 THE ILIAD. VII. 

The sage Antenor : " Hear ye me, Trojans, 

* And Dardans, and ye allies, the while I speak 
6 E'en as the spirit within my heart commands. 

350 ' Then come ye ! Let us render the Argive Helen 
4 Unto the sons of Atreus to take home, 
■ And all her treasures with her : for in fighting 

* We've now belied our solemn oaths of treaty: 
' Wherefore for Us I have no hope of profit 
'To be achieved, unless we so shall do." 

So saying, he sat him down forthwith : whereat 

855 Before them now upstood prince Alexander, 

The fair-tressed Helen's lord, and thus he answered 
And spake these winged words : " Here now, Antenor, 
' Matters to me not pleasant dost thou speak : 
' Yet hast thou skill to think out other counsel 
' Better than this : but if now truly in earnest 
1 Thou speakest thus, — then sure forsooth the gods 

360 ' Themselves have clean brought all thy wits to nought. 
1 But 'fore horse-taming Trojans I'll speak out ; 
1 And flat at once I say outright, — the woman 
1 I '11 not give back : her treasures all howe'er 
' I'm willing to give up, all that I brought 
' With me from out of Argos unto our house, — 
i And of mine own to add yet else." So saying, 

365 He forthwith sat him down : whereat before them 
Kose Priam Dardanides, like to the gods 
In weight of wisdom : and with kindly thought 
And sage he thus outspake and said : " Trojans, 
' And Dardans, and ye allies, now hear ye me, 
i While as my heart within me bids I '11 speak : 

370 i Throughout the host go take ye now your supper, 
' E'en as afore : and keep ye watch and ward, 



book H. 193 

' And be ye awake, each man : and let Idaios 
' At early dawn go down to the hollow ships 
' Unto the sons of Atreus, Agamemnon 
' And Menelaus, and announce this word 
1 From Alexander,-— on account of whom 

575 ' The Quarrel first arose. And furthermore, 
' Let him urge this, matter of good advice, — 
1 If haply willing may they be to stay them 
' From hateful battle, till we've burnt our dead : 
1 Thereafter will we fight again until 
' Our Luck shall part us, and shall give the vict'ry 
' To one or t'other side." He spake : whereto 

380 They readily gave good heed, and straight obeyed. 

Throughout the host by troops then took they supper : 

And to the hollow ships down went Idaios 

At early dawn. And in assembly there 

He found the Danaans, ministers of Ares, 

Hard by the stern of Agamemnon's galley. 

To them anon went he, the loud-voiced herald, 

385 And standing in the midst outspake before them : 
" both ye sons of Atreus, and ye others, 
1 Chiefs of allied Achaians,— both king Priam 
' And other noble Trojans bid me announce 
1 (If haply it please you and be but to your liking) 
' This word of Alexander, on whose 'count 
i The Quarrel first arose : Whatever treasures 

390 ' Prince Alexander brought away with him 

' In hollow ships to Troy,— ('Would first he had perished !) 

1 He wishes now to give back all, and add 

i Yet other of his own : but he declares 

' How that he will not render back the consort, 

1 The wedded wife of glorious Menelaus : 

13 



194 THE ILIAD. VII, 

1 Though sure the Trojans urge him. And they bade me 

395 " Say this word more, — would haply ye be willing 
4 To rest from hateful Battle, till we' ve burnt 
4 Our dead ; whereafter will we fight again, 
i Until our Luck shall part us, and shall give 
1 The victory unto one or t J other side." — 
He spake : whereat they all were still and silent : 
At last the doughty Diomed addressed them : 

400 " Nor treasures Now forsooth, nor Helen either, 
' Let -ever a one accept from Alexander ! 
' For 't is well-known, yea to the merest babe, 
1 How that already fastened on the Trojans 
' Are the issues of Destruction."— Spake he thus : 
And straight the sons of Argives, one and all, 
Shouted applause, admiring this advice 

405 Of the horse-taming Diomed. Anon, 

Lord Agamemnon thus addressed Idaios : 
" Now then, Idaios, thou dost hear thyself 
The Achaians' purpose, — as they answer thee : 
So too it pleases me. As for your dead, — 
I grudge you never a whit your burning them. 
For for the dead deceased no niggardness 

410 ' Have we for quickly appeasing them by fire, 

: Now that they 're dead ; and Here's lord be Witness, 
Loud-thundering Zeus, to this our solemn oath." 
So saying, he lifted up his kingly sceptre 
To all the gods. Then back to sacred Ilion 
Idaios went his way. Gathered together 
There in assembly sitting were the Trojans 

415 And Dardans all, — abiding till the time 
Idaios might return : and now he came, 
And, standing in the midst, told out his tidings. 



book H. 195 

And they thereat right swiftly made them ready — 
For either task — for gathering in their dead, 
And others after fire-wood. The Argives also 
On their side hasted from their trim-benched ships, 

120 Some to collect their dead, and some for wood. 

Just forth from out the brimming, soft-flowing Ocean 

Was Helios rising up towards the heaven, 

And now 'gan strike the corn-fields with his rays, 

As each side met the other. Much ado 

Was 9 t then to know one body from another. 

425 But off they washed the bloody gore with water, 
And, shedding hot big tears, they lifted up 
And laid them on the wains. But mighty Priam 
Permitted no loud wailing : so in silence, 
Mournful at heart, they piled their gathered dead 
Upon the funeral pyre ; kindled the flame, 
And burnt them, and returned to sacred Ilion. 

430 On their side likewise did the fair-greaved Argives, 
Mournful at heart, pile up their gathered dead 
Upon the funeral pyre ; kindled the flame, 
And burnt them, and returned to the hollow ships. 
Now ere 't was fully break of day, but yet 
Grey twilight night, then round the funeral pyre 
A chosen troop of Argives watched : and forth 

435 Came they and round it made, out of the plain, 
One common undistinguished burial mound ; 
And near it built a wall, and lofty towers, — 
A shelter for their ships, and for themselves. 
And in the towers they made strong-fitted gates, 
Wherethrough might be a road for driving chariots : 

440 And a deep trench outside the wall they dug. 

Hard by, both wide and long ; and down therein 



196 THE ILIAD. VII. 

They fixed a palisade of pointed stakes. 

In such wise toiling were the long-haired Argives. 

Meanwhile, before the Lightning-hurler Zeus 

The gods were seated, wondering as they gazed 

At the great work of brazen-mailed Achaians. 
445 Anon, Poseidon, he who Shakes the Earth, 

Before them thus began : " Zeus father !■— Who ? 

1 Who of mankind upon the boundless Earth 
Is there indeed shall ever speak hereafter 
Of any mind and wisdom 'mongst us Deathless ? 
And seest thou not, how again the long-haired Argives 
Have builded them a wall beyond their ships 
450 ' For shelter, and have led a trench about it, 

And how they r ve given no splendid hecatombs 
Unto us gods ? Now sure the fame of This 
Shall spread as far, as spreads the light of Eos : 
While That forsooth which I and Apollo Phoebus, 

'' Toiling for lord Laomedon, did build, 
Girdling his Town, is all to be forgotten ! " — 
455 Then heavily vexed, cloud-gatherer Zeus addressed him : 

" strange ! thou mighty Shaker of the Earth ! 
What 's this thou say'st ? Some other of the gods,— 
Such as is weaker far than Thou in hands 
And bodily strength, — sure might perchance have feared 
This their design : but Thy renown indeed 
Shall be as wide, as spreads the Morning light ! 
460 ' Come on then ! — whensoe'er the long-haired Argives 
Are gone away on board their ships again 
Back to their fatherland, — Break through this wall, 

f And wash it down, yea all, into the sea ; 
And cover again the vasty beach with sand ; 
That so the Achaians' mighty wall forsooth 



book H. 19* 

1 May all be brought to nought." In suchlike talk 

465 Together they conversed. Meanwhile, the Sun 
Went down, and finished was the Achaians' Work. 
Then oxen at their camp-huts did they slaughter, 
And took their supper. Now at hand were ships 
With freights of wine from Lemnos, many a one 
Sent forth by Euneus, lord Jasonides, 
Whom unto Jason, pastor of his people, 

470 Hypsipyle brought forth. And now this wine, 
A thousand measures, had Jasonides 
Given to the sons of Atreus, — Agamemnon 
And Menelaus,— 'twixt themselves to take. 
Wine now therefrom — the long-haired Argives purchased 
By barter, some with ruddy iron, and some 
With copper, some with slaves, and some with hideSj 

475 And others with the beeves themselves ; and thus 

They dressed a goodly feast. Then all night through 
The long-haired Argives feasted : and the Trojans 
And their allies did likewise in the City. 
But all night long with frightfiil tracks of thunder 
Did Zeus the lord of counsel plot them troubles ; 
And pallid Fear gat hold on them : then wine 

480 From out their goblets poured they upon the ground : 
Neither did any dare to drink, till first 
He poured libation unto Chronides, 
The high and mighty Zeus : whereafter soon 
To bed they went, and took Sleep's gentle boon. 



198 THE ILIAD, VIII. 



ARGUMENT OF THE EIGHTH BOOK. 0. 

Zeus calls an assembly of the gods, and forbids them to help either Trojans 
or Achaians. He retires to Mount Ida. The Trojans go out to fight. 
Zeus terrifies the Achaians by his thunderbolt, and so favours the Trojans. 
Here and Athene, going to help the Achaians, are checked by Iris at the 
command of Zeus* Hector drives the enemy to their ships ; and night 
coming on he harangues the Trojans on the field, where they pass the 
night, and kindle watch-fires. 

THETA : the interrupted jig ht : the Achaians 
Are terrified, andfiee before prince Hector. 



Now saffron-mantled Morn 'gan spread abroad 
O'er all the Earth ; and thunder-loving Zeus 
On topmost crest of many-ridged Olympus 
Held an assembly of the gods ; whereat 
Himself harangued them, while the gods at once 
Together all gave ear : " List I all ye gods, 
5 ' And all ye goddesses, the while I speak, 

i E'en as the spirit within my breast commands me r 
'Wherefore let never a god,— female or male, — 
' Attempt to frustrate this my word of promise : 
' But give ye all together your assent, 
'That so most quickly may I achieve these matters, 
10 ' But whomso of the gods shall I perceive 
{ Going apart with wish to help or Trojan3 
1 Or Danaans, — back to Olympus shall he come 



BOOK ©. 



199 



' Wounded in sort unseemly ; or I '11 seize 

1 And hurl him into murky Tartarus, 

1 Eight far away, where deepest is the gulf 

15 ' Under the Earth, and where the gates are iron, 
' And threshold brazen, — all as far 'neath Hades, 
'As is the Heaven from Earth : then shall he learn 
' How much the strongest am I of all the gods, 
1 And if ye doubt, come on! make trial, ye gods, 
1 That all of ye may know ; and from out heaven 
' Hang up a golden rope ; and fast thereunto 

20 ' Cling all ye gods> and all ye goddesses ; — 
1 Yet Zeus the lord of counsel in the highest 
' From out of Heaven to Earth ye could not pull, 
' Not if ye worked yourselves howe'er so weary. 
' But I, did I now choose to pull. in- earnest, 
1 Sure should I pull it up with Earth and all, 
' And Sea and all ;. the rope then fast I'd bind 

25 ' About Olympus' peak ; and furthermore, 

'All they should hang, swung up aloft. So much 

'Ami I above both gods, and all mankind." 

He spaka : whereat all still were they and silent, 

Aghast at such a word ; for out he spake it 

Full sternly. At last howe'er the bright-eyed goddess 

30 Athene thus addressed him : " Highest of rulers ! 
' Ohronides, our father ! sure now We 
' Indeed know well, how Thy strength never yields. 
' Yet pity have we still on Danaan warriors, 
1 Who now perchance have filled the measure up 
i Of their sad fate and thus are perishing. 

35 ' But from the fight forsooth, if Thou so bidst^ 

1 We'll keep aloof; and will but hint to the Argives 
6 Such counsel as may help them, lest all perish 



200 THE ILIAD. VIII. 

' Under thy wrath." Anon cloud-gatherer Zeus 
Thus with a smile addressed her : " Daughter mine, 
6 Be of good heart, Trito-born .!— nowise 
'* So do I speak in earnest mood ; but ever 

40 ' Wish to be gentle unto Thee." So saying, 

He put a pair of brass-hoofed, swift-flying horses, 
With golden flowing manes, unto his chariot : 
Then gold about himself he donned; and grasped 
His golden fair-wrought whip, and mounted up 
Upon the chariot-board : he touched them on ; 

45 And not unwilling flew they both along, 

'Twixt Earth and starry Heaven. Anon he reached 
The many-fountained Ida, mother of game, 
And Gargaros, where sacred unto Him 
A field was parcelled off, with fragrant altar. 
There did the sire of men and gods now stay 
And loose his horses from the car, and shed 

50 A misty darkness round. Then on top crest 
He sat him down, rejoicing in his glory, 
Viewing the Trojans' Town and the Argives' galleys. 
Meanwhile, the long-haired Argives all in haste 
Took breakfast at their camp-huts, and thereafter 
Put on their harness.— So throughout the Town 

55 The Trojans too on their side armed them, fewer.: 
Yet fain they were nathless to fight in battle, 
Of dire Necessity, — fain for their children 
And for their wives. So all the gates were oped, 
Whereout the host, both horse and foot, hied forth : 
And a huge din uprose : and when together 

60 To one ground were they come,— then oxhide shields 
Clashed they together, and together spears, 
And battle-rage of; brazen-harnessed warriors ; 



BOOK 0. 201 

And close came bossy bucklers one 'gainst other ; 
And a huge din uprose. Met there together 
The cry of triumph and the cry — " Woe's Me" — 

65 Of many a man, — the slaughtered and the slayer ; 

And the earth all flowed with blood. While yet 'twas Morn, 

And holy day was waxing, all so long 

Did weapons reach their marks on either side, 

And men did fall : but when the Sun had reached 

The mid heaven in his course ; then did the father 

Spread out his golden scales ; and in the balance 

70 Two Destinies he put of low-laying Death,— 

Horse-taming Trojans' Doom, and brass-mailed Argives' : 

Then by the midst he took the beam in hand 

And held it up : whereat the Achaians' day 

Of Destiny sank low. Down indeed settled 

The Achaians' Fates unto the bosky Earth ; 

While to broad heaven the Trojans' were uplifted. 

75 Aloud then thundered He from out of Ida, 
And sent a blazing flash of lightning forth 
Amidst the Achaians' host : and at the sight 
Astonied were they and pallid Fear gat hold 
Upon them all. To stand his ground then ventured 
Neither Idomeneus, nor Agamemnon ; 
Nor stand did those two ministers of Ares, 

80 E'en either Ajax : but alone remained 

Gerenian Nestor, — guardian of the Achaians ; 
Yet nowise willing staid he, but his horse 
Was sore distressed; for on the top of head 
Prince Alexander, fair-tressed Helen's lord, 
Had shot him, just where horses' forelocks grow ; 
And 'tis especially a vital part : 

85 Up then and down with pain he plunged, for the arrow 



202 THE ILIAD. VIII. 

Had entered into his brain, and horse and chariot 
Into confusion threw he altogether, 
Rolling himself about upon the weapon. 
Now while the old man with cutlass darted forth 
For cutting off the traces of his horse, 
On through the rout came Hector's chariot swift, 
90 Bearing the doughty Hector, reins in hand : 
And haply now the old man had lost his life, 
Had not prince Diomed, the bold in battle,. 
With sharp sight spied him ; and with terrible shout 
He urged Odusseus : " Ever-ready Odusseus, 
' Prince Laertiades ! now whither fleest, 
' Turning thy back, thus craven-like, i r ih' crowd ? 
95 ' Beware lest in thy back, while fleeing thus, 

' Some one may plant his lance ! — But Stop ! till here 
' From off the old man we drive yon. savage warrior. ,, 
So spake he : but the much-enduring prince 
Odusseus hearkened not, but darted past 
Unto the Achaians' hollow ships. And mingled 
Among the foremost fighters all by himself 

100 Soon was Tydeides, but he went and stood 
Before the horses of the old Neleides 
And unto him spake in winged words and said : 
" reverend Sir ! now sore distressing, thee 
1 Indeed are youthful war-men ; and thy strength 
1 Is weakened, and old age hard presses thee :. 
' Weak also is now thy squire, and slow thy horses. 

105 ' But come, quick mount my chariot ; and shalt see 
' What manner of horses here are these of Tros, 
' With tearing speed well-skilled athwart the plain 
' Hither and thither both for chase and flight, — 
6 Masters of terror, both of which I won 



book O. 203 

' Of late from prince iEneas. Let our squires 

'Take charge of those thy steeds : and Well drive these, 

110 ' This pair of mine, right straight again&t the Trojans— 
1 Tamers of horses : then shall also Hector 
' Know, whether My spear in my hands is furious ! " 
He spake : nor slack to obey him was the horseman 
Gerenian Nestor, Then of Nestor's horses 
The two bold squires took charge, both Sthenelos 
And manly-souled Eurymedon : and up 

115 The chieftains both now mounted on the chariot 
Of Diomed. And Nestor took in hand 
The glossy reins ; and touched the horses on : 
And soon they were at hand before prince Hector- 
Then straight at Him, as eager on he came, 
The son of Tydeus hurled his lance : yet him 
Indeed he missed ; but hit Eniopeus, 

120 The lofty-souled Thebaios' son, — the squire — 
His charioteer, the horses' reins in hand:,. — 
Hit him upon the breast beside the nipple : 
And down from out the car he pitched ; and back 
Started his foot-swift horses : and released 
There on the spot was both his might and spirit. 
Then a strange sorrow for his charioteer 

125 O'ershadowed Hector's heart : yet howso grieved, 
He let his comrade lie : and sought forthwith 
Other bold charioteer ; and lack of driver 
No long while had his horses ; for right quickly 
He found the doughty son of Iphitos, 
Lord Archeptolemos ; whom he bade mount 
For manage of the nimble-footed horses, 

130 And handed him the reins. — Then sure had been 

Sad slaughterous Death, and Mischief past all help : 



204 THE ILIAD. VIII. 

And sure at llion had they been penned up 

Like sheep, unless the sire of men and gods 

With eyesight sharp had spied them : then he thundered, 

Awful, and launched away his flashing bolt, 

And hurled it down to the Earth before the horses 

135 Of Diomed : whereat a flame rose, awful, 

Of blazing brimstone : and those horses crouched 
Cowering with fear beneath the chariot-yoke ; 
And from out Nestor's hands the glossy reins 
Made their escape ; and he was sore afeared, 
And spake to Diomed : " Now then, Tydeides, 
* Turn, turn thy firm-hoofed horses round for flight : 

140 ' Dost thou not here perceive, how that from Zeus 
'Defence is not vouchsafed thee? — for sure Now 
"* This day Zeus Chronides does grant the glory 
4 To attend this foe ; yet unto Us hereafter 
' He "'11 give in turn, if haply so he choose. 
' And ne'er a whit may a man, how strong soever, 
1 Thwart Jove's resolve, since much is he the mightiest." 

145 Straight answered him the doughty Diomed : 

*" Now sure thou say'st «I1 this, old Sir, right fitly : 
4 Yet a strange sorrow touches here my heart 
' And very soul ; for then shall Hector say 
' Sometime in public speech before the Trojans, — 
" Tydeides fled before me, and hied to his ships ! " 

150 ' So shall he brag sometime : Oh Then for Me 

1 May the broad Earth yawn wide ! " — Anon the horseman 

Gerenian Nestor answered him : " Alas ! 

' What say'st, — son of warrior-hearted Tydeus ? 

' Though shall e'en Hector say thou 'rt weak and craven, 

1 Yet not believe will Trojans, neither Dardans, 

155 ' Nor yet the high-fouled Trojan warriors' wive^ 



BOOK 6. 205 

' Whose blooming husbands to the dust thou hast smitten/' 
So saying, to flight he turned the firm-hoofed horses 
Back through the rout : but Hector and his Trojans 
Mid awful din poured forth on them a storm 
Of groan-begetting shafts. Loud shouted then 

160 Tall Hector of the glancing helm : " Tydeides ! 

' Honour to Thee, past all, were swift-horsed Danaans 
' Wonted erewhile to pay — yea with high seat, 
i With meats of honour, and with brimming goblets :: 
1 But Now they'll hold thee in disgrace^ — become 
' A match for women as thou art ! Avaunt ! 
'Away, poor girl ! for not upon our walls, 

165 i Through my withdrawing, shalt thou mount, nor take 

I Our women in thy ships away : to Thee 

I I '11 give ere then thy destined lot ! " He spake : 
Whereat betwixt two minds Tydeides halted, 
Whether to turn his car and fight against him. 
Thrice wavered he forsooth in heart and soul : 

170 And thrice did Zeus the lord of counsel thunder 
From heights of Ida, giving sign for Trojans, — 
Mastery in battle shifting to their side. 
Then Hector cried aloud and urged the Trojans : 
" Trojans ! and Lycians ! and close-fighting Dardans I 
' Be men, my friends, and now bethink ye of prowess 
' Furious in fight ! I know too that Chronion 

175 ' With kindly thought here promised Me the mast'ry 
1 And mighty glory ; and mischief to the Danaans. 
' Fools that they were, for building up these walls, — 
1 Strengthless,— worth no one's heed,— such as forsooth 
' Shall be no guard against Our might : for easily 
1 Bound shall our horses o'er the trench they 've dug. 

180 ' But whensoe'er I 'm at their hollow ships, 



206 THE ILIAD. VIII. 

4 Bethink we somehow then of wasteful fire, 

' How I may set their ships ablaze, and slaughter 

' Argives and all, amazed midst smoke about them 

' Among their ships." So saying, he urged his horses, 

And thus addressed them both ; " Now pay me quittance, 

185 ' Bayard! yea Thou swift-footed one ! and Thou, 
'My bright and noble Blazer! pay me now 
4 For all that kindly tendance, wherewithal 
4 Andromache, high-souled Eetion's daughter, 
' Set cheery wheat before ye, and mixed therewith 
' Wine for your drink, whene'er your soul might bid, — 
4 Tendance for you, yea sooner than for me, 

190 ' Who boast indeed to be Her youthful lord. 
4 But hie ye quick along, and follow close, 
' So we take Nestor's shield, the fame whereof 
' For being solid gold, yea rods and all, 
' Now reaches unto heaven : and from the shoulders 
' Of horseman Diomed let's pluck away 

195 ' That rich-embroidered corslet, which Hephaistos 

4 Toiled at and wrought. Might we now but win This, — 
' Then should I hope the Achaians would embark 
■ On board their swift-going ships this very night." 
So spake he in boast : whereat the lady Here 
Felt high displeasure, and did shake again 
Upon her throne, and lofty Olympus trembled : 

200 Anon she addressed the mighty god Poseidon : 
" Strange ! thou mighty Shaker of the Earth ! 
4 Does not the heart within thy breast feel pity 
4 Upon the perishing Danaans ? unto Thee 
4 Full many a gift forsooth and graceful too 
4 They bring to iEgse and to Helice : — 
4 Will Thou the mastery therefore unto Them. 



BOOK 9. 207 

205 ! For if indeed choose we, who help the Danaans, 
1 To thrust away the Trojans, and to check 
1 Far-seeing Zeus, then yonder sulky in grief 
< Might he be sitting all alone on Ida!" — 
Whereat the master Shaker of the Earth 
With heavy heart accosted her : " Here, 
1 Of speech undaunted ! Ah, what manner of word 

210 ' Is this thou say'st ? For My part, not would / 
1 That any of Us contend with Zeus Chronion, 
1 For that he's far the strongest." — In such wise 
Talked they together. — At the ships meanwhile 
All of the space entrenched 'twixt ships and towers 
Was filled alike with horse, and men with shields, 

215 Cooped up in narrow room ; and Priam's son, 
Hector, like unto nimble Ares, cooped them ; 
For Zeus vouchsafed him glory. And indeed 
With burning fire he now had set ablaze 
The gallant ships, unless the lady Here 
Had put it into Agamemnon's heart, 
To haste by himself, and quick urge on the Achaians. 

220 With large red mantle upon his sturdy arm 
Off went he to the camp-huts of the Achaians 
And to the ships : and presently he stood 
Hard by Odusseus' huge black ship, which lay 
Midmost, — within a shout from either side, 
'Twixt the camp-hut of Telamonian Ajax, 
And that of prince Achilles, who— relying 

225 Upon their manhood and brave strength of arm — 
Had drawn their gallant ships to the outmost ends. 
Anon with piercing shout he cried aloud 
Unto the Danaans : " Oh for Shame ! ye Argives ! 
i Base bye-words ! admirable but to look at ! 



208 THE ILIAD. VIII. 

' Whither are gone our vaunts, wherein we boasted 
' To be most brave ? — those vaunts which on a time 

230 ' With empty bragging held ye forth in Lemnos, 

' When feasting on the flesh of straight-horned heifers, 
' And drinking bowls crowned brimming high with wine,- 
' That each, of ye would stand against a hundred, 
1 Yes, and two hundred, Trojans in the fight ? 
' But now not worth so much are we together 
' As Hector by himself alone, who soon 

235 i With burning fire will set our ships ablaze. 

Zeus father! Hast thou heretofore with damage 
' Like this e'er damaged any mighty king, 
' And stript him of great glory ? Yet I say 
1 How that in coming hither to my ruin 
' In many-oared ship I sure did never pass 
' And leave thy beauteous altar, but I burnt 

240 * Thigh-bones and fat of beeves upon them all, 
' Longing to sack the fair-walled Town of Troy. 
' But Zeus ! achieve me this, my heart's desire ! 
' Suffer at least ourselves to escape and flee, 
6 Nor let the Achaians thus be slain by Trojans !" 
So spake he in tears ; whereat on him the father 

245 Took pity, and with gracious nod assented, 

That safe should be his host, and should not perish. 
Straight then he sent his eagle, — the most sure 
Of birds of omen, — holding in his talons 
A fawn, the young one of a nimble hind : 
Anon, the bird threw down the tender fawn 
Beside Jove's beauteous altar, where the Achaians 

250 Were wont to offer sacrifice to Zeus 

The lord of oracles. Now when they saw 

How 't was a bird come forth from Zeus, forthwith 



BOOK 0. 209 

Sprang they upon the Trojans more and more, 
And of stern fight bethought them. No one then 
Of all the Danaans, many although they were, 
Could boast of driving forth his nimble horses 

255 Before the son of Tydeus, and of sallying 

Tore him from trench, and fighting face to face. 
But foremost far he slew lord Agelaos 
Phradmonides, a warrior of the Trojans : 
He just had wheeled his horses round for flight : 
But in his back, turned round, betwixt his shoulders 
Tydeides fixed his lance, and drave it on 

280 Clean through his chest ; and down from out his chariot 
He pitched, and on him rattled all his harness. 
Next came the sons of Atreus, Agamemnon 
And Menelaus ; next came either Ajax, 
Arrayed in furious might ; and after them, 
Idomeneus, and his attendant squire 
Meriones, a match for slaughterous Ares : 

265 And after them — Evsemon's gallant son 

Eurypylos. And forth came Teucer, ninth, 
Bending his crooked bow, and took his stand 
Under the shield of Telamonian Ajax, 
Then Ajax somewhat lifted up his shield, 
Whereat prince Teucer, he did peer about 
Whene'er he haply shot one in the throng, 

270 Who fell at once and lost his life ; while He, 
He hied him back again, and gat him close — 
(As does a babe beneath its mother's breast), 
Unto great Ajax, who with his bright shield 
Hid him as oft. —Who foremost then of Trojans 
Was done to death by blemishless prince Teucer ? 
Foremost, Orsilochus ; then Ormenos ; — 

14 



210 THE ILIAD. VIII. 

275 And Ophelestes; Daitor too; and Ohromius ; 
And Lycophontes, fashioned like a god ; 
And Hamopaon, son of Poluaimon ; 
And Melanippos ; all, one after other, 
Down to the bosky earth did He make fail. 
Glad was the chief of chieftains, Agamemnon, 
At seeing him, by shot from sturdy bow, 

280 Wasting the Trojans' lines : then went he and stood 
And thus accosted him : " Teucer I Dear Life ! 
s son of Telamon, Leader of hosts I 
' Shoot thus, and haply may'st thou thus become 
6 A ray of Light for gladdening here the Danaans, 
' And Telamon thy sire, who brought thee up 
' Through childhood, though base-born, and entertained thee 

285 ' In his own house : mount him now on glory, 
' Far off albeit he i& ! — And unto Thee 
6 111 here say plain, e'en as't shall come to pass : 
' If haply Athene and iEgis-bearing Zeus 
' Grant me to sack the fair-built Town of Ilion, 
' To thee first after me a gift of honour 
' Into thine hand I '11 put, either a tripod ; 

290 i Or else a pair of horses, car and all ; 
1 Or comely woman, for thy concubine." 
Blemishless Teucer straightway answered him 
And said : " Atreides, most illustrious ! — Why, 
' Why urges t me, all eager as I am ? 
' No rest, i' faith, do I take,— -so far at least 
' As in me lies the power : but from, the point 

295 ' Whence back we thrust the foe to Ilion-ward, 

* I await and slay their warriors by mine archery. 
' I Ve launched already eight long-headed arrows, 
' And in the flesh of swift young lusty warriors 



BOOK 0. 211 

' They 've all been planted : yet I cannot hit 
' Yonder mad dog." He spake ; and from the string 
300 Let fly another shaft against prince Hector ; 
And eager was his heart for hitting him : 
Yet him he missed : but with the shaft he shot 
A gallant son of Priam upon the breast, 
The blemishless Gorgythion :— (from iEsyme 
In marriage-pomp was brought the beauteous mother 
Who gave him birth, the fair Castianeira, 
305 Like unto goddesses for goodly stature :) 
And like as in a garden hangs a poppy 
(When laden with its fruit and damps of spring) — 
Its drooping head aside ; e'en so aside 
Dropped he his head, oppressed by weight of helmet, 
Then yet another arrow from the string 
Teifber sent forth at Hector, for his heart 
310 Was fain to hit him. Yet e'en then he missed ; 
For off side-wise Apollo made it glance : 
But on the breast beside the pap he hit 
Lord Archeptolemos, fain for the battle, 
Hector's bold charioteer ; and down he pitched 
From out the chariot ; and the foot-swift horses 
On sudden started back : and there at once 
315 Eeleased was both his life and strength. Whereat, 
Strange sorrow for his charioteer o'ershadow T ed 
The heart of Hector : him yet left he there, 
All grieved howe'er for comrade ; and straight bade 
Kebriones his brother,— being at hand, — 
To take the horses' reins : and he, on hearing, 
Was nothing slack to obey. Then to the ground 
320 From his all-beaming car the chief himself 

Sprang forth with terrible war-cry : and in hand 



212 THE ILIAD. VIII. 

Caught up a stone ; and went right straight for Teucer, 
For fain his heart bade hit him. From his quiver 
A bitter arrow He forsooth had taken 
And laid upon the string, and now was drawing, 
When at his shoulder, where the collar-bone 

325 Parts neck and breast,— (and 'tis most specially 
A vital part), just there with rugged stone 
Prince Hector of the glancing helmet hit 
The foe all bent at Him ; and brake thereby 
His bowstring ; and his hand grew numb at wrist ; 
Then dropping to his knee he stayed ; and forth 
Fell from his hand the bow. Yet not forgetful 

330 Was Ajax of his brother fall'n, but swift 

Bestrode and sheltered him behind his buckler. 
Him on their shoulders then two trusty comrades, 
Mecisteus, Echios' son, and lord Alastor, 
Upraised and bare away full heavily groaning 
Unto the hollow ships. And now again 

335 The Olympian stirred up fierceness in the Trojans, 

And straight towards the deep -dug trench drave They 
The Achaians back : and 'mongst the foremost fighters 
Did Jleetor move, exulting in his might. 
As when some hound relying on swift feet, 
.After & lion or wild boar, catches hold 

340 On buttock and on haunch, and watches him 
Turning q/bout to bay ; e'en so did Hector 
Hard press the long-haired Argives, and did slay 
Ever the hindmost man : and They did flee. 
Now when across both palisade and trench 
They had fled along, — and many a one was bowed 
Beneath the Trojans' hands, — then soon they came 

345 To a stand and checked themselves beside their ships : 



BOOK 0. SIS 

Then urging each the other, and uplifting 
Their hands to all the gods, they prayed aloud 
Each one and all. While Hector, he with eyes 
Of Gorgon, or of Ares— Bane of mortals, 
Kept wheeling every way his fine-nianed horses. 

350 Anon the white-armed goddess Here saw, 

And pitied them : then straightway she accosted 
Athene thus in winged words : " Oh Shame ! 
1 Daughter of iEgis-bearing Zeus ! shall We 
' No longer care for Danaans perishing, 
1 E'en to last man ? for haply now they're filling 
' The measure of their wretched fate already, 

355 ' And perishing by One man's vehement force : 
' And past all bearing rages now that Hector 
1 Priamides, and has already wrought 
6 Plentiful mischief." Straightway then Athene 
The bright-eyed goddess answered her: " Indeed, 
' Outright should this man soon lose life and strength, 
' Slain in his fatherland by Achaians' hands, 

360 ( But that, with wits not sound, my father raves, 
1 Harsh, always wrongful, thwarter of My aims. 
c And no remembrance has he, how I rescued 
' Full many a time and oft his son, # worn out 
' Under the tasks Eurystheus laid upon him. 
' Sure indeed unto heaven used he to wail : 

365 * Then Me from heaven to help him Zeus despatched. 

* Had I howe'er in my shrewd wit but known 

* All This, when down to Hades, the Gate-Fastener, 
' Despatched was he to fetch from Erebos 

'The Hound of hateful Hades, — none escape 

' Had he from 'neath the sheer down-falling streams, 

* Heracles. 



214 THE ILIAD. VIII. 

6 The water of the Styx ! But me now he hates, 

370 ' And brings to pass the purposes of Thetis, 

' Who kissed his knees, and clasped his chin, and begged him 

'Honour the City -wasting chief Achilles. 

' The time shall be howe'er, when yet again 

( He 11 call me His dear Bright-eyed. But do Thou 

' Make ready, for us twain, thy firm-hoofed horses 

' Forthwith, while I betake me to the palace 

375 ( Of iEgis-bearing Zeus, and there equip me 
6 In harness for the fight ; and then I '11 see, 
6 Whether shall Hector of the glancing helm, 
6 Priamides, be glad at sight of Us, 
' As forward on the gangways of the battle 
4 1 shew myself : or whether also of Trojans 
6 Some one shall fall beside the Achaian ships, 

380 ' And with his flesh and fat glut dogs and birds." 
She spake : whereat the white-armed goddess Here 
Was nothing slack to obey. Unto her task 
Forthwith went She, the daughter of great Ohronos, 
Here, the reverend goddess, and made ready 
Her golden-bridled horses. And Athene 
Daughter of JEgis-bearing Zeus, meanwhile, 

385 Upon her father's palace floor let fall 

Her fine embroidered mantle, which herself 
Had wrought and made by hand ; anon in harness, 
Full ready for the tear-begetting fight, 
She clad herself, and donned a coat of mail, 
Coat of cloud-gatherer Zeus ; and with her feet 
Into the flaming chariot up she mounted, 

390 And grasped her mighty spear, stout, strong and weighty, 
Wherewith this daughter of a mighty sire 
Lays many a line of gallant warriors low, 



BOOK 0. 215 

With whomsoe'er she 's wroth. And now with whip 
Sharply did Here touch the horses on. 
Anon heaven's gates self-moving grated loud, 
Whereof the Hours were Keepers, unto whom 

395 The great heaven and Olympus are committed. 
As well for oping, as for putting to, 
The close-packed cloud. So now their goaded horses 
This way they drave therethrough. Soon as from Ida 
The father Zeus espied them, wroth indeed 
He was full sore ; and with a hasty message 
He sped the golden-winged Iris forth : 
" Go, hie 1 swift Iris ! Turn them back again, 

400 ' And let them not go forward ] for not seemly 
1 Can we go forth to meet in shock of battle. 
4 For this 1 11 say plain out, and sure 't shall come 
4 Fully to pass : beneath their chariot-yoke 
' Their nimble horses will I lame ; and Them 
4 From off the chariot-board I '11 hurl ; and shatter 
4 The chariot all in pieces : nor heal throughly 

405 * Might they for ten round circling years the wounds, 
4 Wherewith my thunderbolt should overtake them. 

* That so the Bright-eyed One, whene'er she fights 

i 'Gainst her own Sire, may see . , , . I But as for Here. 
4 Not so surprised or wroth am I with Her ; 
4 For she 's for ever wont to snap me off 
4 Whate'er I think about." He spake : whereat 
410 Storm-footed Iris hasted with her message ; 
And from the heights of Ida down she sped 
To vast Olympus, and she met and stayed them 
In the first gates of many-delled Olympus, 
And told them Jove's command : " Whither so fast ? 

* Why rages thus the heart within your breasts ? 






216 THE ILIAD. VIII. 

' To help the Aehaians— Chronides forbids ! 

415 ' For thus the son of Ohronos has held out 
' His threat (if e'er indeed he brings to pass), 
' How that your nimble horses will he lame 
4 Beneath your chariot-yoke ; and that he '11 hurl 
4 Yourselves from off the chariot-board, and shatter 
' The chariot all in pieces : nor heal throughly 
* Might you for ten round circling years the wounds 

420 * Wherewith his thunderbolt shall overtake you. 

6 That so, thou Bright-eyed One, whene'er thou fightest 

' 'Gainst thine own Sire, mayst see .... ! But as for Here, 

' Not so surprised or wroth is he with Her ; 

' For she 's for ever wont to snap him off 

' Whate'er he thinks about. But Thou ! — most grim ! 

- She-dog shameless ! If 'gainst Zeus howe'er 

425 ' Thou durst but only lift thy terrible spear ....!" 
So saying, away went nimble-footed Iris. 
Here thereat now spake this word to Athene : 
" Daughter of iEgis-bearing Zeus ! Good lack ! 
' For my part I '11 allow us twain no longer 
' To fight gainst Jove for sake of humankind ; 
4 Of whom — Let perish one,— Let live another, 

430 ' As each may draw the lot ! and let Him judge, 
4 E'en as he 's minded in his heart, the cause 
' Yov Trojans and for Danaans, as is meet ! " 
So saying, the firm-hoofed horses turned she back. 
And the Hours unyoked for them the fair-maned horses, 
And tethered them to ambrosial cribs ; and turned 

435 The chariot sidelong to the beaming wall. 
Meanwhile, all sorrowful at very heart, 
The goddesses, e'en as they were, sat down 
On golden lounge-chairs 'mongst the other gods. 



BOOK 0. 



217 



Anon, the father Zeus urged forth his horses 
And fair-wheeled car from Ida to Olympus, 
And reached the gods' abode. For Him his horses 
440 The far-famed Shaker of the Earth unyoked, 
And spread out linen covers o'er the chariot, 
And set it on the standing place. And He, 
The far-seeing Zeus, down sat him on his throne, 
Golden ; whereat beneath his feet did quake 
The great Olympus. Yet apart from Zeus 
Alone sat They, both Here and Athene, 
445 And spake not ever a word to him, nor asked : 
But He in his heart perceived, and said aloud : 
' Why are you twain, both Here and Athene, 
So sad ? Sure in the man-ennobling fight 
Not have ye long had trouble in slaughtering Trojans, 
'Gainst whom ye 've stored a terrible grudge ! No-wise 
Should all the gods that are upon Olympus 
450 i Have turned Me back again, — such might is Mine, 

And such mine unmatched hands ! but on You Twain, — 
Upon your radiant limbs a sudden quivering 
Gat hold forsooth, 'fore e'er ye saw the battle, 
Or battle's toilsome deeds ! And well ! for This 
I '11 tell ye plain, e'en as 't had come to pass : 
Had ye been smitten by my thunderbolt, 
455 i In your own chariot sure ye had not come 
Back again unto Olympus, whereupon 
The Deathless have their dwelling ! " Spake he thus ; 
Whereat both Here and Athene grumbled : 
Sitting were They together close, and plotting 
Mischief against the Trojans. Sulky indeed 
Athene was, and said not ever a word, 
460 Snarling at father Zeus, for bitter wrath 



218 THE ILIAD. VIII. 

Savage did come on Her. Here howe'er 
Could not contain the anger in her bosom, 
But thus addressed him : " Terriblest Chronides ! 
What manner of word is this thou sayst ? Full well 
Yea We do know, how Thy strength is unyielding! 
Yet pity we nathless the Danaan spearmen, 
465 i Who now mayhap shall fill the measure up 
Of their sad fate and perish. If howe'er 
Thou so dost bid, we 11 keep us from the fight : 
But counsel unto the Argives will we hint, 
Such as may help them, lest all utterly 
They perish in thy wrath." Then answered her 
Cloud-gatherer Zeus and said : " To-morrow dawn, 
470 ' My large-eyed lady Here, if thou wilt, 

Shalt see the high and mighty son of Chronos 
Wasting yea more and more the ample host 
Of Argive spearmen. For the doughty Hector 
Shall not leave off from battle ; till at least 
The foot-swift son of Peleus has arisen 
475 ' Beside his ships, that day, when at their sterns, 
In narrow pass most terrible, they shall fight 
Around Patroclus fall'n. For So 'tis destined : 
But I, I heed not Thy being wroth a whit, 
Not e'en shouldst hie thee to the utmost ends 
Of Earth and Sea, where sit both Japetos 
480 i And Chronos, where they 're cheered not by the winds, 
Nor by the beams of Helios Hyperion ; 
For Tartarus deep and dark is all around : 
Not e'en shouldst thou, I say, go wandering thither, 
I heed not, I, thy snarling ; for nought else 
Is there than thou more houndlike." Spake he thus ; 
But white-armed Here answered never a word. 



BOOK @. 



219 



485 Meanwhile, the Sun's bright light sank into the Ocean, 
And drew dark Night upon the bounteous Earth. 
Not to the Trojans' liking sank forsooth 
The light of day : but welcome to the Achaians 
Gladly, thrice prayed for, on came gloomy Night. 
So now when from the ships he had led aloof, 
On a clear spot beside the eddying river, 

490 Where 'mongst the dead appeared a roomy space, 
Illustrious Hector held him an assembly 
Of Trojans ; who from out their cars alighted 
Upon the ground, and listened unto the word 
That Hector, loved of Zeus, outspake : in hand 
He held his lance, eleven full cubits' length ; 
And the shaft's brazen point shone forth before him ; 

495 And circling round it was a golden ring. 

Leaning whereon, spake He these winged words : 
" Hear me, ye Trojans, Dardans, and allies ! 
' I thought but now to have utterly destroyed 
1 Both ships and Argives all, and to return 
' Unto our airy Hi on home again : 

500 ' But darkness first has come ; the which most chiefly 
' Has rescued now the Achaians and their ships 
' At the sea's edge. But let us now comply 
' With the demands of dusky Night, and make us 
' Our suppers ready : and your fine-maned horses 
1 Loose ye from underneath your chariot-yokes ; 
' And throw them fodder : and from out the Town 

505 ' Fetch hither with all speed fat sheep and beeves, 
' And purchase ye delicious wine, and bring ye 
( Bread from the halls : and gather ye moreover 
' Fire-wood in plenty : so that all night long 
1 E'en until Dawn-sprung Eos, we may burn 



220 THE ILIAD. VIII. 

' Watch-fires in plenty ; and the shine thereof 
i May reach to heaven : lest haply e'en by night 
510 i The long-haired Argives all in haste betake them 
'To fleeing away upon the sea's broad backs. 
' Fain would I hope, that not at ease at least 
' Shall they embark on board their gallant ships : 

* But that sure some of them at least, in leaping 
' Into his galley, may be shot by arrow 

' Or pointed spear, and so have, e'en at home, 
515 ' A shot in him to brood o'er : that henceforth 
( May each and all men be afraid to bring 
( Tear-forcing War against horse-taming Trojans. 
' And through the City let the Jove-loved heralds 
' Proclaim, that boys in bloom of youth be gathered 
' And grizzly-templed elders round the City 
i Upon our god-built towers ; and in their halls 
520 ' Let all the gentler womankind keep burning 
6 An ample fire : and let there be continual 
' A steadfast sort of watch ; lest haply an ambush 
' Enter the Town, in absence of the troops. 
' Let it be thus, ye mighty-hearted Trojans, 
' As I proclaim : and spoken once for all, 

* As indeed wholesome now, let stand this order : 
525 'And order for the morn I'll then proclaim 

' 'Mongst the horse-taming Trojans. I do hope, — 
' And pray to Zeus and all the gods, — to drive 
i Out hence at once, yon Slaughter-following hounds, 
i Whom bloody Fates bring hither in dusky ships. 
' But now to-night, keep watch we must and ward 
' For our own selves : and at first break of dawn 
530 ' We'll don our harness, and forthwith wake up 
4 The hasty War-god at the hollow ships. 



BOOK 0. 221 

' I '11 know forsooth, whether that bold Tydeides 

I Diomed can thrust Me, yea from the ships, 
' Back to their wall, or whether with iny weapon 

I I shall slay Him, and win his bloody spoils. 

535 * To-morrow shall shew forth his manhood's prowess, 
1 If he can bide the on-coming of my spear. 
' But wounded shall he be, methinks, and lie 
' Low 'mongst the foremost, and around him comrades, 
1 Full many a one, by sun-rise on the morrow. 
1 'would that So might I be free from death 
' And old age all my days, and So be honoured 

540 ' With honour like Athene's and Apollo's, — 

1 As shall to-morrow's day bring woe to the Argives ! " — 
So spake forth Hector : whereupon the Trojans 
Shouted applause. And from beneath the yoke 
They loosed their sweating horses, and with halters 
Tethered them by their cars, each man by his own : 

545 And beeves and goodly sheep from out the Town 

With speed they fetched, and bought delicious wine ; 
And bread from the halls ; and gathered them moreover 
Fire-wood in plenty. And from the plain to heaven 
The winds did waft the steam of sacrifice. — 
So they, with mighty thoughts of heart, did sit 
All night upon the gangways of the battle : 

550 And burning were their watch-fires, many a one. 
And as when stars in heaven appear full bright 
Around the beaming moon, when breathless calm 
Is the clear sky ; and every look-out cliff, 
And up-most foreland peak, and woody dell 
Comes forth to sight ; and the clear sky, past telling, 
Bursts open wide 'neath heaven ; and all the stars 

555 Are seen ; and the herdsman in his heart rejoices : 



222 THE ILIAD. VIII. 

So, 'twixt the galleys and the streams of Xanthus, 
Were seen the Trojans' many watch-fires, kindled 
Before the Town of Ilion. On the plain 
Watch-fires indeed a thousand were there burning ; 
And around each, in the bright shine thereof, 
As blazed the fire, there sat them fifty men. 
560 And standing by the chariots were their horses, 
Feeding on grain of oat and barley bright ; 
And thus awaited fair- throned Eos' light. 



book L 223 



ARGUMENT OF THE NINTH BOOK. I. 

Agamemnon calls the Achaian chieftains to a council, and advises night, 
Diomed and Nestor oppose him in this. But "by Nestor's advice Odusseus 
and Ajax, accompanied hy old Phoenix, are sent on a message of recon- 
ciliation to Achilles, to whom they offer also gifts from Agamemnon. 
Achilles refuses to he reconciled, hut persuades Phoenix to remain with 
him; and Odusseus and Ajax return to their quarters; and the troops 
betake themselves to their sleeping berths. 

IOTA sings the Embassy to Achilles. 



Thus kept the Trojans watch and ward : but Flight, 
Chill Fear's companion, awful, held the Achaians : 
And stricken sore were all their Chiefs by Sorrow 
Unbearable. As when two winds, on sudden, — 
The two which blow from Thrace, — the Northern Boreas 
5 And the North-Western Zephyr, — come and stir 
The fishy deep ; whereat the darksome billow 
At once uprears its crest, and much sea- weed 
They scatter forth along the salt sea side ; 
E'en so by doubts divided was the soul 
Within the Achaians' breasts. Now went Atreides, 
Stricken at heart by great grief, — to and fro 
10 Bidding the clear-voiced heralds forth to summon 
By name each warrior-chieftain unto assembly ; 
But not to cry aloud : and 'mongst the foremost 
He toiled himself. And gathered now they sat 



224 THE ILIAD. IX. 

Sorrowful in the assembly ; where before them 
Upstood king Agamemnon, shedding tears ; 
Like as a spring, of deep and darkling water, 
15 Which pours its water dimly trickling down 
Some steepy rock ; so He, with heavy sighs 
Spake thus before the Achaians : " my friends, 
1 Leaders and Guardian princes of the Achaians ! 
' Zeus Chronides has mightily hampered me 

* In sore bewilderment ! Cruel ! for indeed 

' Assenting nod erewhile he gave me and promised, 
20 • How I should sack the fair-walled Town of Ilion 
€ And return home : but now has he determined 
1 On an ill trick ; and to Argos bids me back 
' Inglorious, after heavy loss of people. 
' E'en so, I ween, 'tis like to please the high 

* And mighty Zeus, who many a time ere now 
1 Has put down towering Citadels,— and Will 

25 ' E'en yet demolish ; for His power is mightiest. 
6 But come ye now ; as I forsooth shall say, 
' Comply we all : Let's flee on board our ships 
' Unto our own dear fatherland : for win 

I We never shall the broad-wayed City of Troy." 
He spake : whereat were they all still and silent, 
And long time were the sorrowing sons of Argives 

30 Without a sound : until at last amongst them 
The doughty Diomed outspake : " Atreides ! 

I I '11 make first stand 'gainst thee in this thy folly, 
' As in assembly, king, is right and lawful : 

' Yet Be not Thou, a whit provoked to anger. 
1 A slur upon my boldness didst thou cast 
i Erewhile before the Danaans, # and didst say 

* See Book IV., 370 and 400. 



BOOK I. 



225 



35 ' How I was weak and all unfit for war : 

Both young and old howe'er among the Achaians 
Know all these matters better. But by halves 
The son of wily Chronos gave to Thee ! 
He gave thee to be honoured in thy sceptre. 
Sure above all : but thee he gave not boldness, — 
That is the mightiest mastery ! — Noble Sir, 
40 ' Dost think now in very truth that sons of Argives 
Are so unfit for war and all so weak 
As thou giv'st out ? If thine own heart howe'er 
Be that way set, all eager for returning, — 
Set off! the way's before thee, and thy ships, 
That came full many -a one accompanying thee 
From forth Mycene, are lying here at hand 
45 ' Close to the sea : but stir not hence will the other 
Long-haired Achaians, till we 've throughly sacked 
The Town of Troy : and if e'en They too would,— 
Why — Let 'em flee together with their ships 
To their dear fatherland ! but here yet fight 
Sure will We twain, both Sthenelos and I, 
Till find we an end of Ilion : for we're here 
50 ' With the god's # help." He spake : whereat all they, 
Sons of Achaians, shouted their approval, 
Much wondering at the horseman Diomed's word. 
Then up and outspake thus the horseman Nestor : 
" Tydeides ! passing bold in fight thou art : 
' And amongst all, of years the same as thine, 
1 Art best in counsel. Many as are the Achaians, 
55 ' Not one with this advice of thine will quarrel, 
i Nor yet gainsay it : still not hast thou reached 
' The matter's end. Yea but a youth as yet 

* Compare Rab-shakeh's words; 2 Kings, xyiii. 25; and Isaiah, xxxvi. 10. 

15 



226 THE ILIAD. IX. 

' Thou art ; and sure for age mightst be right well 
' My youngest son ; yet prudent words thou utterest 
' To the Argive princes, for thou hast spoken fitly. 
60 ' But come now, I, who boast to be thine elder, 
' Speak out will I, and go through all the matter : 

* Nor of my word may any one think lightly, 

* Not e'en king Agamemnon. Without tie 
i Of brotherhood, of law, of hearth, is He, 

6 Whoe'er loves warfare, horrible, in his people. 
65 ' But now forsooth with dusky night comply we, 
' And make our suppers ready ; and let the guards 

* Be chosen two and two along the trench 

* Dug out— outside the walh For the young men 

* I give indeed these orders : but, Atreides, 

' Take Thou the lead : for sovereign Chief art Thou : 
70 ' Banquet the elders : Thee it well beseems; 

* Sure not unseemly. Full are Thy camp-huts 

i Of wine, which day by day the Achaians' galleys 
( Bring o'er the vasty deep from out of Thrace : 
6 All means hast Thou of ample entertainment, 
6 And of much wealth art master. And when many 
1 Are gathered round thee, listen unto Him, 

75 ' Whoso shall haply give the choicest counsel. 
' And urgent need of counsel, brave and prudent, 
' Have all the Achaians; for full near our ships 
1 The foes light many watch-fires ; and at these — 
1 Who could rejoice ? This night shall either bring 
' Utter destruction on our host, or save it ! " 
He spake : and ready hearing gave they to him, 

80 And straight complied. Then sallied forth the guards 
With all their harness, — following Nestor's son 
Bold Thrasymed, the pastor of his people ;— 



book I. 227 

And with Ascalaphus, and Ialmenos, 

Stout sons of Ares ; and Deipyros ; 

And with Meriones ; and Aphareus ; 

And Lycoined, the godlike son of Creon.— \ 

85 Seven were the captains of the guards ; and youths 
One hundred marched, with lengthy spears in hand, 
Along with each : and down they went and sat 
In mid 'twixt wall and trench : and there a fire 
They kindled them, and each and all took supper. — 
Into his camp-hut now Atreides led 
The Achaians' Elder chieftains all together, 

90 And set a plenteous banquet out before them : 
Anon they put forth hands upon the viands 
Ready set out. And when of meat and drink 
They had put away desire, then first and foremost 
Thus weaving his advice 'gan He, the old man, 
Nestor, whose counsel had aforetime also 
Appeared the best : who now with prudent thought 

95 And kind towards them outspake thus and said : 
"Atreides Agamemnon, most glorious, 
< Chieftain of chiefs ! with thee indeed I '11 end, 
* With Thee too I '11 begin : for that thou art 
6 The lord of many a people ; and high Zeus 
' Into thy hands has put the kingly sceptre 
' And laws, whereby may'st counsel for their welfare. 
100 ' Most chiefly therefore it belongs to Thee 
i To speak the word ; and also to give ear, 
' And put achievement e'en on other's counsel, 
' If e'er the heart of any one may bid him 
i To speak for good : and shall depend on Thee, 
' Whate'er prevails. But say will I, as best 
6 It seems to me. And no one else may think 



228 THE ILIAD. IX. 

105 ' A better thought than this, that long ago 

' And e'en yet still I hold ; e'er since, king, 

i Thou went'st and took'st away the girl Briseis 

' From the camp-hut of the angered prince Achilles : 

' To Out mind was it never a whit : for much 

- And oft did I dissuade thee : thou howe'er 

' Unto thine own high-hearted mood gav'st way ; 

110 ' And him, our bravest chief, whom e'en the Deathless 
' Have held in honour, didst thou lightly esteem ; 
' For his award of honour didst thou seize, 
' And boldest still : nathless e'en now consult we, 
( How may we haply appease and win him over 
' With kindly gifts and also courteous words." 
Anon the chief of chieftains Agamemnon 

115 Answered him thus : " reverend Sir, no-wise 
6 A false tale hast thou told of my misdeeds : 
1 I Have done w r rong, and I deny it not : 
' Worth yea a host of common troops together 
i Sure is the Man whom Zeus at heart holds dear : 
' As Now he has honoured This man, and laid low 
' The Achaians' troops. But since I 've done amiss 

120 ' In giving way to wretched thoughts,— I wish 
' To appease again, and give requital countless : 
' And noble gifts I'll name before you all, 
' Seven tripods, all as yet untouched by fire, 
' And gold, ten talents' weight, and twenty caldrons 
1 Bright glittering, and a dozen sturdy horses, 
' Prize-winners, which have carried off the prizes 

125 ' For speed of foot. The man were sure not needy 
1 In field or house, nor poor in precious gold, 
1 That might possess so many and goodly prizes 
1 As these my firm-hoofed steeds have won for me. 



BOOK I. 



229 



1 111 give him too seven women, Lesbian damsels, 

1 In handiwork right cunning, blemishless ; 

1 Whom when He took the strong-built Town of Lesbos, 

L30 'I chose me out, for they surpassed in beauty 
1 All of the womankind. These will I give him ; 
1 And therewithal shall be the daughter of Brises, 
1 Yea she, whom then I took from him away : 
1 And furthermore, 1 11 swear the mighty oath 
1 How that I've never climbed her bed, nor touched her, 
1 As is among mankind an olden custom 

135 ' Of men and women. All this he straight shall have : 
1 And furthermore, if haply shall the gods 
4 Grant us to sack the mighty Town of Priam, 
' In let him come, and lade him all his galleys 
' With gold and brass in heaps, whene'er we Achaians 
i Shall share the spoil among us. Let him also 
1 Choose for himself a score of Trojan women, 

140 ' Such as are fairest, after the Argive Helen. 
' And if we e'er shall reach Achaian Argos, 
' Fat land of milk and corn, then may he be 
' My son-in-law : and Him then will I honour 
1 All equal with my only son Orestes, 
' My dear-loved son, reared in the lap of wealth. 
' Three daughters have I in my fair-built halls, 

145 ' Iphianassa, and Ohrysothemis, 

1 And third, Laodice : of whom to wife 
' Unto him let him take whiche'er he likes, 
' Free, without dowry, unto Peleus' house. 
' And furthermore, full many a gladdening gift 
' 1 11 give, yea such as no man e'er has given 
' Unto his daughter : seven well-peopled Towns 

150 ' 111 give him,— Enope, Cardamyle, 



230 THE ILIAD. IX. 

And Ire, rich in grass, and sacred Pherse, 
Antheia too with meadows fat and deep, 
And vine-clad Pedasos, and fair iEpeia. 
And bordering are they all on sandy Pylos, 
Hard by the sea : and therein dwell rich men 
Vv T ith many flocks of sheep and herds of beeves, 

155 " Who sure will honour him, as were he a god, 

With gifts, and pay him due and ample customs 
Under his rule. Achievement would I grant him 
Of all these matters, would he cease from wrath. 
Let him be won then— -(Hades is forsooth 
Eelentless and implacable, and therefore 
Of all the gods most hateful too to mortals) :— 

160 ' And inasmuch as I'm a greater king, 
And inasmuch as older too I boast me, 
Unto me Let him yield/' Straight then the horseman 
Gerenian Nestor answered him : "0 Atreides, 
Most glorious Agamemnon, chief of chiefs ! 
To lord Achilles gifts indeed thou givest, 
That may not now be scorned : but come ye at once, 

165 ( Forth speed we chosen, men to go, all haste, 
Unto the huts of Peleus' son Achilles. 
And if 't so please ye, an eye upon them now 
I '11 have, and let them yield compliance ready : 
Foremost, let Phoenix, loved of Zeus, be leader : 
And let great Ajax go, and prince Odusseus ; 
And of the heralds let Eurybates 

170 ' And Hodius as attendants follow them. 

But here ! fetch water for our hands, and bid ve 
To keep good silence, while with prayer we invoke 
Zeus Chronides, if haply he'll have pity." 
So spake he, and said the word that pleased them all. 



BOOK I. 231 

Anon the heralds brought and poured them water 
Upon their hands, and lads crowned brimming full 

175 The mixing-bowls with drink ; and then to all 
In turn they handed round, with due libation 
Of firstlings from the cups. Libation made, 
And when they had drank as much as soul desired, 
They hied them from the camp-hut of Atreides. 
And unto them full many a charge the horseman 
Gerenian Nestor gave, eyeing them each, 

180 But chiefly unto Odusseus, to try hard 

How they might win the blemishless Peleides. 

Along the beach of the loud-roaring sea 

Forth went they both, with many an earnest prayer 

Unto the Compasser of Land, the Earth-Shaker, 

That eas'ly might they win the mighty soul 

Of prince iEacides. And now they reached 

185 The ships and camp-huts of the Myrmidons : 
Anon there found they Him, cheering his mood 
With clear-toned harp, of cunning workmanship, 
Right fair, whereof the cross-bar was of silver : 
This had he taken from the spoils, what time 
He overthrew Eetion's Town : and now 
His heart herewith he solaced, and was singing 

190 The Glorious Deeds of Warriors. And alone 
In silence o'er against him sat Patroclus, 
Waiting until ^Eacides might make 
An ending of his minstrelsy. Meanwhile, 
Yon twain stepped forward; prince Odusseus first : 
So now they stood before him, and Achilles 
Astonied started up with harp and all, 

195 And left the seat whereon he sat. Likewise, 
Patroclus, soon as e'er he saw the men, 



232 THE ILIAD. IX. 

Also uprose. Anon with right-hand greeting 
Foot-swift Achilles thus accosted them : 
" Health to ye both, ye 're men right welcome hither ; 
6 Sure somewhat much is needed ; of all Argives — 
' Most dear are Ye to Me, however wroth !" 

200 So saying, the prince Achilles led them on, 

And seated them on lounge-chairs, and red carpets ; 
Then to Patroclus, who was close at hand, 
Sudden he spake : " Now then a larger bowl, 
' Son of Menoitius, set me and therein mingle 
' The wine more pure, and quick prepare a cup, 
1 A cup for each ; for men most dear to me 

205 ' Are these beneath my roof." He spake : whereat 
Patroclus quickly obeyed his loving friend. 
Down by the blazing fire the Chief then set 
An ample flesh-meat tray, and put therein 
A haunch of mutton, and of goodly goat, 
Also a fat hog's chine, full rich with lard. 
Automedon then held for him, while He, 

210 The prince Achilles, carved them : and right deftly 
He cut them up and stuck them all on spits : 
Meanwhile, the godlike Menoitiades 
Lit up the mighty fire : and when the blaze 
Had died away, and down had burned the fire, 
The heaped hot coals he spread about, and laid 
The spits along thereover. Then on stands 

215 He lifted them, and sprinkled sacred salt. 

Soon as he had broiled and spread them on the dresser, 

Patroclus took and dealt the bread on table, 

In comely baskets ; and the prince Achilles 

Dealt out the flesh-meats. Then by the opposite wall 

Down sat He o'er against the prince Odusseus : 



BOOK I. 



233 



220 



225 



230 



235 



240 



Anon he bade Patroclus, his dear friend, 
Make offering to the gods : whereat he cast 
Firstlings for burning on the fire. Then hands 
Upon the viands ready laid before them 
They all put forth. And soon as e'er desire 
For meat and drink they had put away, lord Ajax 
Nodded a sign to Phoenix : prince Odusseus 
Took note thereof, and straightway filled a cup 
With wine, and thus gave greeting unto Achilles : 
Achilles ! Health ! We're not in want forsooth 
Of a brave banquet, whether in the hut 
Yonder of lord Atreides Agamemnon, 
Or whether now too here : for ample plenty 
For feasting is before us : but the business 
Of jocund feast is not our present aim. 
But, Prince, upon a trouble mighty great 
We have our eyes, and are in fear ; and doubt, 
Whether our trim-built galleys may be rescued, 
Or whether lost ; unless wouldst Thou indeed 
Put on thy prowess. For the high-souled Trojans 
And their allies far-summoned have now pitched 
Their quarters for the night hard by our ships 
And rampart, and throughout their host have lighted 
Full many a watch-fire ; and they think no more 
Now to be checked, but soon to throw themselves 
Upon our dusky ships. And unto them 
Zeus Chronides with lightning shows forth signs 
Of right-hand lucky omen : and prince Hector, 
Exulting mightily in his strength, is furious 
Past bound*, relying on Zeus, and regards not 
Or gods or men ; and rage has come upon him 
Vehement. He prays too that the sacred Eos 



234 THE ILIAD. IX. 

' May quickly appear; for from our ships he threatens 
' To hew their stern-gear, and with furious fire 
'To set their hulls a- blazing ; and beside them 
' To slay the Achaians — mazed amidst the smoke. 
' Strangely at heart I fear this ; that the gods 

245 ' Shall bring his threats to achievement ; and that now 
' Far from horse-pasturing Argos it is fated 
' For Us to perish. But now Up ! arise ! 
' If hast thou at least a wish, however late, 
1 To rescue now the Achaians' hard-pressed sons 
' From out the din of Trojans. To thyself 
' Grief must it be hereafter, and no means 

250 ' Is there to find a help for the ill that's Done : 
' But in good time bethink thee, how mayst ward 
' The day of evil from the Danaan host. 
' Sure did thy father Peleus, my darling, 
' Enjoin on Thee that day, when forth from Phthia 
' He sent thee unto Agamemnon, — saying : 
" To Thee, my Son, shall both Athene and Here 

255 " Grant might, if haply so they will: but Thou, 
" Bridle the mighty spirit rcithin thy breast ; 
" For better is kindly liamour ; and leave off 
" Mischievous Quarrel ; so both young and old 
" Of Argives all the more shall honour thee" 
' Such was the old man's charge : yet thou forgettest : 
1 But yet e'en now do cease, and do let go 

260 \ Heart-grieving wrath : and worthy gifts to thee 
' Does Agamemnon give, if but thou wouldst 
( Leave off thy bitter wrath. And if 't so please, 
* List thou to me ; I'll lay thee down the tale 
' Of all the gifts for thee that Agamemnon 
1 Has promised in his camp-hut : — tripods seven, 



book I. 235 

' Untouched by fire ; and gold, ten talents' weight ; 

265 ' Twenty bright caldrons ; and twelve sturdy horses, 
1 Prize-winners, which have carried off the prizes 
' For speed of foot. The man were sure not needy 
'In field or house, nor poor in precious gold, 
i That might possess so many goodly prizes, 
i As have lord Agamemnon's horses won him 
' For speed of foot. He'll give thee too seven women, 

270 ' Well-skilled in handiwork, blemishless Lesbians, 

' Whom, when thyself didst take the strong-built Lesbos, 

' He chose him out, as they did then surpass 

' All womankind for beauty. These he'll give thee ; 

i And therewithal shall be the daughter of Brises, 

1 Yea She, whom then he took away from thee ; 

' And furthermore, he'll swear the mighty oath, 

275 ' How that he never has climbed her bed, nor touched her 5 
'As custom is, my lord, of men and women. 
' All these forthwith shall be at thy command : 
'And furthermore, if haply shall the gods 
' Grant us to sack the mighty Town of Priam, 
6 Then come thou in, and lade thou all thy galleys 
6 With gold and brass in heaps, whene'er we Achaians 

280 i Shall share the spoil among us. Choose thou also 
' A score of Trojan women for thyself, 
' Such as are fairest, after the Argive Helen. 
' And if we e'er shall reach Achaian Argos, 
1 Fat land of milk and corn, then mayst thou be 
i His son-in-law ; and he will honour Thee 
i All .equal to his only son Orestes, 

285 ' His dear-loved son, reared in the lap of wealth. 
1 Three daughters has he in his fair-built halls, 
' Iphianassa, and Chrysothemis, 



236 THE ILIAD. IX. 

4 And third, Laodice ; of whom to wife 

' Unto thee mayst thou take whiche'er thou wouldst, 

6 Free, without dowry, unto Peleus' house : 

' And furthermore, full many a gladdening gift 

290 ' He'll give, yea such as no man e'er has given 
' Unto his daughter : seven well-peopled Towns 
' He '11 give thee, — Enope, Cardamyle, 
' And Ire, rich in grass, and sacred Phene, 
' Antheia too, with meadows fat and deep, 
' And vine-clad Pedasos, and fair iEpeia : 
' And bordering are they all on sandy Pylos 

295 ' Hard by the sea : and therein dwell rich men 
' With many flocks of sheep and herds of beeves, 
' Who sure will honour thee, as wert thou a god, 
' With gifts, and pay thee due and ample customs 
' Under thy rule. Achievement would he grant thee 
6 Of all these things, wouldst thou but cease from wrath. 
' And if Atreides in thy heart is hated, 

300 ' He and his gifts, yet more and more ; yet Thou, 
' Pity have thou nathless upon the rest 
' Of all the allied Achaians in the host, 
' Suffering distress ; and they will honour thee, 
' As wert thou a god : for Glory passing great 
' Sure mightst thou win them ; for thou mightst Now slay 
' Yea Hector, since that in his murderous rage 

305 ' He's come full near to thee ; for that he thinks 
' Not one of all the Danaans, whom our ships 
1 Have hither brought, is match for Him in battle." 
Then straight in answer thus foot-swift Achilles 
Addressed him : " Jove-sprung Laertiades 
' Odusseus ever-ready ! sure this matter 
1 Bluntly I now must needs tell out at once ; 



BOOK I. 



237 



i E'en as indeed both now I think, and as 
1 It sure shall come to pass, that so ye sit not 

* And murmur 'gainst me,— one and then another. 
' For to me hateful as the gates of Hades 

1 Is He, who says one thing and keeps another 

' Hid in his heart. But say will I, as best 

1 To me it seems : not persuade Me, methinks, 

' Shall either lord Atreides Agamemnon, 

' Nor other Danaans : for no manner of thanks 

' Is there forsooth for fighting on and on 

1 For ever against the foemen. Equal share 

' Has He who stays behind, and He who fights 

' How well soe'er ; and all in one esteem 

1 Alike is held the coward, and the brave. 

' And the idle man, and he who hard has wrought, 

1 Die both alike. Nor is it aught to me, 

' That suffered have I trouble in my heart, 

' Risking my life unceasingly in battle. 

* And, as before her young ones yet unfledged 

' A bird shall bring a mouthful, when perchance 

' She catches one, though with herself the while 

' It fares but ill ; e'en so, full many a night 

' Have I passed sleepless, and through bloody days 

1 Gone on have I still fighting, for the sake 

' Yea of Their wives, and battled with the foe. 

' With ships indeed I've gone and sacked twelve Towns # 

' Well peopled ; and by land, I say, eleven, 

' Throughout the coasts of loamy Troy : whereof 

' From all I bore off treasures large and rich, 

6 And brought them all to Atreides Agamemnon, 

' And gave to Him : and He, still tarrying idle 

* See Odyssey, iii. 106. 



238 THE ILIAD. IX. 

' Beside his quick- going ships, received them gladly, 
' And doled some pittances, but kept the bulk. 
' Yet other gifts of honour to the lords 
' And nobles he did give ; with whom indeed 

335 ' Remain they steadfast ; but from Me alone 

6 He has taken away ; and holds my darling leman ; # 

' With Her then Let him sleep to his heart's content. — 

6 But what 's the need of Argives fighting Trojans ? 

' Why has Atreides gathered all this host 

4 And brought it hither? Is 't not for the sake 

' Of fair-tressed Helen ? and do the sons of Atreus, 

340 ' Of all the race of language-gifted men, 

' Alone have love for partners of their beds ? 

' Sure any man, that 's good and prudent-minded, 

' Loves his own mate, and is concerned for her : 

i As e'en did I with all my heart love Her, 

' Though gained by spear. But Now, since from my hands 

■ My gift of honour has he snatched away, 

845 ''And cheated me, Let him not try to win 

' Me, for I know too well ; nor shall he move me. 
1 But counsel let him take with Thee, Odusseus, 
' And with the other chiefs, how from the ships 
' To ward off wasteful fire. Sure without Me 
4 Already has he wrought full many a matter 
' With pains : yon wall he built, and led along it 

350 i A great broad ditch ; and down therein he planted 
i A palisade. Yet can he not withal 

' Check slaughterous Hector's might. But while forsooth 
' I fought among the Achaians, — not so ready 
1 Was Hector then to awaken up the battle 
4 Far from his wall ; but only would he come 

* Sweetheart. 



BOOK I. 



239 



Far as the oak-tree by the Scaian gates : 

Me all alone on a time he there awaited ; 

And 'scaped from my attack with much ado. 

But now, since fight I will not with prince Hector, 

To-morrow will I sacrifice to Zeus 

And to all the gods, and launch my ships to sea 

And load them trim : shalt see, at early morn, 

If so thou wilt, and should such things concern thee, 

My ships upon the fishy Hellespont 

Full sail, and oarsmen in them fain for rowing. 

And would the far-famed Shaker of the Earth 

Grant but fair voyage, sure then should I reach, 

On the third day, the coasts of loamy Phthia. 

And ample riches have I, which I left 

Behind me there, when luckless came I hither ■ 

And other gold I '11 take me home from hence 

And ruddy brass, and comely-girdled women, 

And grizzly iron, all I obtained by lot. 

My gift howe'er of honour, — He that gave it 

Has taken it away, insulting o'er me, 

Yea He, the lord Atreides Agamemnon : 

To Him rehearse this all, e'en as I charge it, 

Openly ; so that all the Achaians also 

May be indignant, should he yet perchance, 

Clothed as he is in Shamelessness for ever, 

Indulge a hope of cheating any Danaan. 

Nor Jet him dare— (the hound all unabashed !) 

To look me in the face : nor ever a whit 

Counsel or deed with Him will I partake. 

For throughly has he cheated me already, 

And sinned against me ; but shall never again 

Clean chouse me with his promises : for Him 



240 THE ILIAD. IX. 

Be it enough : away with him in peace ! 
For Zeus the lord of Counsel has bereft him 
Of all his wits. To me his gifts too are hateful : 
And Him I value— at a snip of hair. 

380 ' Nor if he gave me ten and twenty times 
As much as all is now his own, and if 
From any quarter yet were added more ; 
Nor all the wealth that comes to Orchomenos, 
Nor to ^Egyptian Thebes, where lie vast treasures 
In chambers, — that rich Town of a hundred gates, 
Wherethrough at each come warriors forth two hundred 

385 ' With horse and chariot ; neither if he gave me 
Gifts countless as the dust and sand, — yet so, 
Never should Agamemnon move my heart, 
Until at least he has giv'n me back full quittance 
For this heart-grieving outrage. And not marry 
Will I Atreides Agamemnon's daughter. 
Not e'en if might she vie in comeliness 

390 ' With golden Aphrodite, and might e'en equal 
Bright-eyed Athene in handiwork, — yet so, 
I would not marry her : but of the Achaians 
Some other Let him catch, — one that may suit him, 
And has more kingship. For now should the gods 
Preserve me safe, and I reach home, sure Then 
A wife for me Peleus himself will find. 

395 ' Achaian ladies, daughters of high chiefs, 

Defenders of their Towns, there are in Hellas, 

And also in Phthia. many a one ; of Them, 

Her may I take to wife, e'en whom I would : 

And fain has been my gallant heart full oft 

To woo and wed a wife, a consort meet, 

And cheer me in the wealth, which the old man Peleus 



BOOK I. 



241 



4 Has gotten him in possession. For with me 

' Not to be weighed 'gainst Life is all the wealth, 

' How great soe'er they say it was, that Ilion 

' This fair -built City did possess, before, 

' In time of peace, ere came the sons of Argives ; 

4 Nor all the treasures that in rocky Pytho 

4 Are shut up safe within, by the stone threshold 

' Of the Archer, bright Apollo. For both beeves 

4 And goodly flocks are to be won for booty ; 

4 And chesnut horses, many a head, and tripods 

' Sure may be gained : but the Life-breath of man, 

4 To come again, is neither to be won, 

' Nor may be caught, when once it shall have passed 

4 Its fence of teeth. And silver-footed Thetis 

4 My goddess mother says, how Destinies 

' Twofold are bearing me to the term of Death. 

1 If would I here indeed remain besieging 

' The Trojans' Town, then home-return for me 

' Is Lost, — but undecaying shall be my Glory : 

' But if I home again should rather go 

' To my dear fatherland, then my fair Glory 

4 Is at an end, but lengthened unto me 

4 For long shall be my Life, nor should the term 

' Of Death soon overtake me. Furthermore, 

' You others all would I likewise exhort, 

4 To sail off, home : for find ye shall not now 

' The end of lofty Ilion ; for o'er her 

4 Far-seeing Zeus holds His protecting hand, 

' And heartened are her people. But indeed 

4 Go you and roundly to the Achaian princes 

4 Tell out your message, for the privilege 

' Is This of the Elder Chiefs ; that in their hearts 

16 



242 THE ILIAD. IX. 

' Some other better counsel may they ponder, 
' Such as may haply rescue them their ships, 
' And, at their hollow ships, the Achaian host : 

425 ' For this their counsel, which they now have pondered, 
' Is no-wise ripe, while I still nurse my wrath. 
' And here let Phoenix bide with us and sleep, 
i And go with me on board for fatherland 
' To-morrow, if he will : but never a whit 
4 Force will I use to carry him away." — He spake : 

480 But speechless all were They thereat and silent, 
Astonied at his word : for sure he had spoken 
Full sternly out. At length spake thus amongst them 
The old horseman Phoenix, bursting into tears, 
For sore afraid he was for the Argives' galleys : 
" If now indeed a purpose of returning 
' Thou really hast in mind, glorious Achilles, 

435 ' And, because wrath has come upon thy heart, 
' Hast never a wish to ward off wasteful fire 
* From our swift ships, — How then alone, dear son, 
' Here without Thee, can I be left behind ? 
1 And me forsooth did the aged horseman Peleus 
' Send forth with thee, that day, when to Agameftinon 
' From Phthia he despatched thee, a mere child, 

440 ' As yet unskilled in war's fierce fellowship, 
'As also in gift of public speech, wherein 
1 Men become well-distinguished. For this reason, 
' He sent forth me, to teach thee all these matters, 
' Both to become a speaker ready of words, 
'And doer of doughty deeds. Thus then I cannot 
' Here without Thee, dear boy, be left behind ; 

445 / No, not e'en would the god himself engage 
i To shave away my hoar old age and make me 



BOOK I. 248 

I A youth in prime of bloom ; such as when first 

I I left fair Hellas, land of comely women, 
' To escape from the reproaches of my sire 
' Ormenides Amyntor ; who at me 

1 Was angry about a fair-haired concubine, 

450 ' Whom he did love, and honoured not his wife, 
' My mother : wherefore by my knees was she 
' Ever entreating me, to be before him 
' In commerce with the concubine, that so 
' The old man might she hate : her I obeyed 
' And did her bidding : whereupon my father, 
' Straightway suspecting, called down many a curse, 

455 ' And prayed the hateful Furies, how that never 
' On Ms knees might a darling son be set, 
1 Begotten of Me : and sure his awful curses 
' Have been accomplished by the gods below, 
1 Both by the Stygian Zeus beneath the Earth 
' And dread Persephoneia. Never a moment 
' Then was a w r ish kept longer in my heart, 

460 ' Under my father's wrath, to bide at home. 

' My friends indeed and kinsmen circled round me, 

' And back with much entreaty kept me there 

1 Still in the house ; and goodly sheep full many, 

' And sluggish-footed, twist-horned beeves they slaughtered, 

' And singed was many a hog, full rich with lard, 

' And laid along Hephaistos' fiery flame ; 

465 ' And from that old man's jars was drunk much wine. 
' Nine nights about me slept they at our house : 
' By turns indeed did they keep watch ; nor ever 
' Extinguished was the fire ; in- the entrance-hall 
* Before the inner chamber doors was one, 
1 And one f th' well-fenced court-yard's corridor. 



244 THE ILIAD. IX. 



470 



475 



480 



485 



490 



But when the tenth dark night was come upon me, 

Then through the chamber's closely fitted doors 

Burst I and sallied forth, and leapt with ease 

Over the courtyard's fence, and scaped the notice 

Of both the watch-men and the women slaves. 

Then fled I far away, through roomy Hellas, 

And £ame at last to Phthia's rich cloddy soil, 

The mother of flocks, unto thy sire king Peleus : 

And he with kind and ready soul received 

And welcomed me, as might a father welcome 

His own, his dear-loved only son, his heir 

To great possessions : and he made me rich, 

And o'er much people too he made me leader : 

Then lord of the Dolopians, on the border 

Of Phthia I abode : and thee, Achilles, 

fashioned like the gods, thee have I loved 

With all my heart, and thus far have instructed : 

For to the banquet never didst thou care 

To go with any else, nor in the hall 

To taste thy food, until at least when / 

Set thee upon my knees, and cut thy- meat, 

And sated thee therewith, and held thee wine. 

Oft in thy troublous childhood wine thou hast sputtered, 

And wetted me the raiment on my breast. 

Thus for thy sake full many a thing I ve suffered, 

And toiled full much, having this thought in mind, 

How that the gods accomplished me no child 

Begotten of me : but Thee I made my child, 

Achilles fashioned like the gods !— that so 

Thou mightst some time from me perchance ward off 

Mischief unseemly. But Achilles, tame 

Thy mighty mood : and it behoves not Thee 



BOOK I. 



245 



To hold a ruthless heart : for even the gods 

Themselves may sure be turned, whose excellence, 

Honour, and might, is greater yet. And Them 

With fragrant offerings and with soothing vows, 

And steamy sacrifices and libations, 

Men do indeed entreat and turn their wrath, 

When one has haply sinned and done amiss. 

For of great Zeus are Prayers indeed the daughters, 

Limping, and shrivelled, and with sidecast eyes ; 

And at the back of Mischief do they follow 

With careful heed. Both strong forsooth is Mischief 

And sound in foot : wherefore She far outruns 

Them all, and is beforehand everywhere 

Throughout the Earth, and leads men to wrong-doing : 

Now whosoe'er shall rev'rence, when they approach him, 

These daughters of high Zeus, him do they help 

Largely, and give kind hearing when he prays. 

But whosoe'er shall haply turn his back 

And stubbornly renounce them, then indeed 

Go They forthwith and pray Zeus Ohronides 

That Mischief may pursue and catch that man, 

That he may be distraught and so pay quittance. 

But to Jove's daughters Thou, yes, Achilles, 

Give Thou to attend on them their honour due 

1 Which always bends all brave ones' hearts towards us). 

For if Atreides brought thee not his gifts, 

Nor spake by name of others yet hereafter, 

But ever still were veh'mently severe, — 

For my part I would not indeed exhort thee 

To put away thy wrath and help the Achaians, 

Much howsoever they want thee : but now at once 

He forthwith gives thee much, and promises 



246 THE ILIAD. IX. 

Yet more hereafter ; and to supplicate thee 
Choice has he made, throughout the Achaian host, 
Of chiefs the bravest, and who of all the Argives 
Are to thyself most dear : then treat not Thou 
Their message, nor their feet, with such contempt : 

520 ' Heretofore was thy wrath no ground for censure. 
From olden times heard have we also tales 
Of warrior chiefs, how that when veh'ment wrath 
Might haply touch them,— soothable they were 
By gifts, and placable by courteous words. 
I do remember this— a matter of yore 
('Nothing of late at least), how 'twas ; and here, 

525 ' 'Mongst you all friends, 1 11 tell it. On a time 
Fighting before the Town of Calydon 
Were the Curetes and the jEtolian warriors, 
Men staunch in battle, and were slaying each other 
The iEtolians, in defence of Calydon, 
Their lovely Town ; while fain were the Curetes 
With war to waste it utterly. For trouble 

>30 i The gold-enthroned Artemis called forth 

Upon them in her wrath, because that CEneus 
Had offered her no firstlings of his harvest 
In his rich vineyard : but the other gods 
Feasted at hecatombs : yet to the daughter 
Alone of mighty Zeus he offered not ; 
Whether forgetful for the nonce, or thoughtless : 

535 i Yet did he mighty foolishly. So She, 

The Arrow-queen, Offspring of Zeus, was wroth, 
And sent a white-tusked savage wild boar forth, 
Which haunted and was wont to do much damage 
In (Erieus* orchard Many a tall fruit-tree 
With blossoms, roots and all, did he up-rend 



BOOK 1. 



247 



And cast upon the ground. Then Meleager, 

The son of (Eneus, from out many Towns 

Gathered a company of men and hounds, 

Hunters, and slew the beast : for not indeed 

By few might he be killed ; so huge he was, 

And many a one on mournful funeral pyre 

Made he to mount. And 'twas for sake of him, 

E'en for the boar's head and the bristly skin, 

The goddess brought about a mighty clamour 

And war-cry 'twixt the lofty-souled JEtolians 

And the Curetes. Now so long indeed 

As Meleager, dear to Ares, fought, — 

So long in evil plight were the Curetes ; 

Nor could they stand their ground outside the wall, 

Many howe'er they were, But when there came 

Wrath upon Meleager (which does make 

The soul of all, howe'erso wise of thought, 

Swell in the breast), — then he, angry in heart 

Against his mother Althaea, went and kept him 

Close with his wedded wife, fair Cleopatra, 

The daughter of Marpessa Evenine 

The beauteous-ankled, and of Idas, bravest 

Of men in those days on the face of Earth ; 

Who even against the king Apollo Phoebus 

Took up his bow and arrows, for the sake 

Of that fair-ankled nymph : then in their palace 

Anon the father and the lady mother 

Did call their child "Alcyone" for surname, 

Because forsooth her mother had the fate 

Of mournful Alcyon, and like her did weep, 

When the far-darting king Apollo Phoebus 

Carried her daughter off. So with his consort 



248 THE ILIAD. IX 

Kept Meleager snug and close, and cherished 
His heart-distressing anger, in sore wrath 
By reason of his mother's imprecations 
Who invoked the gods indeed in her deep grief 
At bloodshed of her brother ; and full oft 

565 ' The bounteous Earth yea smote she with her hands, 

Down-sitting, knees to ground, and drenched with tears 

Was all her bosom, as she called on Hades 

And dread Persephoneia, to bring Death 

Upon her son : heard too from Erebos 

She was by Erinnys, walking in deep darkness, 

With heart relentless. At the jEtolians' gates 

570 i Soon were their towers attacked, and there arose 
Beating and heavy din : the iEtolian Elders 
Then sent their gods' chief priests to Him, and prayed him 
To sally forth and aid ; and promised him 
An ample gift : where lay the fattest land 
Of lovely Calydon, e'en there they bade him 
Choose and mark off a right fair piece of land, 

575 ' Such as some fifty yokes might plough in a day : 
Half, wine-land, to be parcelled off; and half, 
Clear field, for earing : and the old horseman (Eneus 
Did stand and shake the close-joined folding-doors 
Upon the threshold of the high-roofed hall, 
And prayed his son and beg'ged him hard : and hard 

580 i His sisters also and lady mother begged him ; 

But He the more refused : hard too his comrades, 
All his most cherished friends and dearest, begged him ; 
Nathless his heart they stirred not in his breast ; 
Until at last his house was sorely attacked ; 
And the Curetes 'gan to climb the towers 

585 ' And set the Town on fire ; then all in tears 



BOOK I. 



249 



His comely-girdled consort did beseech 
Lord Meleager, and rehearsed to him 
All the distress that comes on folk, whose Town 
Falls into foemen's hands : " they slay the men ; 
i And jive brings down the City into dust : 
' While others seize and carry off both children 
' And lowly-girdled women!' Then his heart 
Was roused at hearing all such heinous doings ; 
And straight he went his way, and on his limbs 
Donned his all-shining harness. Thus indeed 
To his own heart he yielded, and kept off 
The day of evil from the iEtolian people. 
To him howe'er they never brought to pass 
The gifts both many and graceful : yet e'en so 
He warded off their ruin. But Thou, my dear, 
Have not, I pr'ythee, thoughts like these at heart ; 
And to such course may never a god lead Thee : 
And to aid the ships, when blazing, were more troublous : 
But meet these gifts and come ; for like a god 
Thee will the xAchaians honour. If howe'er, 
Without the gifts, thou shouldst hereafter plunge 
Into the slaughterous fight, — no longer alike 
In honour wilt thou be, how much soe'er 
Mayst turn aside the battle. " Anon in answer 
Foot-swift Achilles thus replied and said : 
1 Jove-loved Phoenix, reverend Sire, no need 
Of such-like honour touches me a whit : 
Honoured I think to be by Jove's high will ; 
And that shall stay me by my crook-beaked ships, 
So long as in my breast shall breath remain, 
And while my limbs have power to move. Yet else 
To thee 111 say, and ponder it Thou in heart : 



250 THE ILIAD. IX. 

' I pr'ythee trouble not my soul by wailing 
' And mourning thus before me, to do kindness 

610 ' To lord Atreides : neither a whit behoves it 

4 Thee to love Him, unless thou wouldst be hated 
i By me who love thee : comely it is for Thee 
' With me to vex the man who vexes me. 
' Be king as I, and take thou half mine honour. 
4 These shall report my message : but stay Thou, 
' And in soft bed sleep here : at peep of Eos 

6 15 ' Consider will we whether to remain, 

4 Or whether shall we sail again to our own." 
He spake, and with his eyebrows made a sign 
In silence to Patroclus, to make ready 
A well-stuffed bed for Phoenix, that at soonest 
They should bethink them of their journey back 
From forth his hut. Whereat anon amongst them 

620 Ajax the godlike son of Telamon 

Outspake this word : — " Odusseus ever-ready 
' Prince Laertiades, Let 's go : for the aim 
' Here of our talking seems to me not like 
' To be achieved by our journey hither at least : 
' But with all speed must needs report the matter 
' Unto the Danaans, though not good it be ; 

625 ' For now they sit methinks expecting us : 
' But laid up has Achilles in his breast 
' A fierce proud-hearted temper;— merciless ; 
' Nor cares he for that friendship of his comrades 
' Wherewith we honoured Him beyond all others 
4 Here at the galleys : ruthless : w 7 hy ! for slaughter 
4 E'en of a brother, or of own child dead, 

630 4 Sure one accepts acquittance-fine ; w r hereby 
' The slayer, when he has paid in full, remains 



BOOK I. 



251 



' In the land still ; and on accepting ransom, 
1 The kinsman's heart and gallant spirit is calmed : 
' But in Thy breast the gods have put, Achilles, 
1 A temper both implacable and bad, 
1 All for a damsel only : but now seven, 

635 ' By far the choicest, do we offer thee, 

' And thereto much beside. Put Thou then on 
i A kindly temper : and respect thy roof, 
1 For 'tis beneath thy roof-tree are we here 
' From out the throng of Danaans, and we fain 
1 Wish to be worthiest of thy love, and dearest 
1 Yea beyond all the Achaians unto Thee." 

640 Then answered him and spake foot-swift Achilles : 
" Prince Ajax, Telamonian, Leader of hosts ! 
' To me thou seem'st of thy full mind somehow 
' To speak all this : but up with bitter bile 
1 Does my heart swell, when Him I call to mind, 
1 Atreides, who before the Achaian host 
' Set Me at nought, as though some worthless vagrant, 

645 ' Go Ye howe'er, and plain tell out your message : 
' Of slaughterous battle not shall I bethink me, 
1 Until at least bold Priam's son, prince Hector, 
i Has made his way unto the huts and galleys 
1 Here of my Myrmidons, and slays the Argives 
1 And sets their ships a-smouldering with his fire. 

650 ' Yet sure round My camp-hut and dusky ship 
1 Hector methinks will keep himself from fight, 
1 How fain soe'er he be."-— He spake : whereat 
A twin-cupped goblet took they each, and made 
Libation ; to the ships then hied they back, 
Odusseus taking lead : anon, Patroclus 
Ordered his comrades and the women-slaves 



252 THE ILIAD, IX. 

655 Make ready with all speed a well-stuffed bed 
For Phoenix ; and the damsels, as he bade, 
Obeyed and spread the couch,— fleeces and rug, 
And finest linen. There the old man lay down, 
Nor stirred till sacred morn. And prince Achilles 
Slept in the strong-built camp-hut's inner chamber, 
Where lay with him the fair-cheeked Diomede, 

660 A woman whom from Lesbos had he brought, 
Daughter of Phorbas : and on the other side 
Patroelus lay ; and with him fair-zoned Iphis, 
Whom unto Him the prince Achilles gave, 
What time he took Enyeus' Town, steep Scyros, — 
When the others now were come to Atreides' huts, 

665 The Achaians' sons, on every side upstanding, 

'Gan straightway pledging them in golden goblets, 
And made enquiry ; and foremost Agamemnon 
Chieftain of chiefs enquired : " sage Odusseus, * 
' Great Glory thou of Achaians ! tell me now, 
' Has he the will to ward the foemen's fire 

670 ' From off the ships, or has he flat refused, 

' And does wrath yet possess his high-souled spirit ?" 

Anon the much-enduring prince Odusseus 

Thus answered him : — " Atreides Agamemnon, 

1 Most glorious, Chief of chieftains ! He indeed 

6 Has not the will to quell his bitter wrath ; 

' But filled yet more and more is He with rage : 

675 ' And Thee he spurns, and Thy gifts too. He bids thee 
' Thyself take counsel jointly with the Achaians, 
' How mayst thou haply rescue both the ships 
' And host of the Argives. Furthermore, he threatens, 
' Together with the peep of Morn, to haul 
' His trim-built rolling galleys to the sea : 



book I. 253 

380 ' And says how he exhorts you others also 

' To sail off home ; " since find ye shall not now 
" The end of lofty Ilion : for der Her 
"Far-seeing Zeus holds His protecting hand, 
"And heartened are her people" Spake he thus : 
1 Here too are These to tell you even the same, 
' Ajax and these two heralds, prudent both, 

685 ' Who thither went with me. But the old lord Phoenix, 
' He lodges there : for so Achilles bade him, 
1 That he may go on board with him to-morrow, 
1 Away for fatherland, if so he will ; 
' But force of no sort will he use to take him." — 
He spake : whereat were they all still and silent, 

690 Astonied at the answer : for full sternly 

He sure had spoken. Long without a sound 

Speechless from grief were the Argives' sons. At last, 

The doughty Diomed outspake : " Atreides 

1 Most glorious, Chief of chieftains, Agamemnon ! 

' would that never hadst thou entreated thus 

' The blemishless Peleides, nor given gifts 

695 ' Countless : for haughty is he enough without ; 
' But into haughtiness far more and more 
1 Now hast thou plunged him quite. But Him forsooth 
1 We'll e'en let be, — whether he goes or stays. 
' He '11 fight again howe'er by and by, what time 
1 The temper in his breast shall haply bid him, 
1 And to it the god shall rouse him. But now come, 

700 ' Comply we all with my advice : Go now 

6 To bed, since meat and wine to heart's content 
' Ye've all enjoyed : for This,— 'tis bodily strength 
' And might : but when fair rosy-fingered Eos 
i Shall peep again, then urge with hasty march 



254 THE ILIAD. IX. 

* And set both foot and horse before the ships ; 
1 And in the foremost lines fight thou thyself." 
705 He spake : whereat the chieftains all straightway 
Approved, in admiration at the speech 
Of horseman Diomed. So then they poured 
Libation, and to his hut went each ; where soon 
They laid them down, and took Sleep's gentle boon. 



book K. 255 



ARGUMENT OF THE TENTH BOOK. K. 

Agamemnon, unable to sleep, goes round and visits the guards on watch ; 
calls up his chiefs, and consults with them : they send forth scouts. 
Odusseus and Diomed, to reconnoitre : in their way they meet with 
Dolon, a Trojan scout, whom they kill ; and having learnt from him 
about the Thracian commander, Rhesus, they steal into his quarters, and 
kill both him and several of his comrades ; and carrying off his famous 
horses they reach their own quarters again in safety and great joy. 

KAPPA: the mght-rcork: scouts from either side. 



Besting throughout the night beside their ships 
Thus were the allied Achaian chieftains all, 
O'ercome by gentle Sleep : but not Atreides 
Lord Agamemnon, pastor of the hosts, 
Did sweet Sleep hold, for much in heart he pondered. — 
5 And as when fair-tressed Here's lord hurls lightnings, 
Preparing either great rain-storm, immense, 
Or sleet, or snow-storm, when the flakes down-fallen 
Sprinkle the corn-fields ; or perchance preparing 
The mighty jaws of keen-toothed War ;— e'en so 
Did Agamemnon oft from inmost soul 
Within his breast groan deep and loud ; and all 
10 His heart within him trembled. Did he indeed 
But look toward the Trojan plain, he marvelled 
At all the many watch-fires that were kindled 
In front of Ilion, and at sound of pipes 



258 THE ILIAD. X. 

" How then ? what orders dost thou lay on me, 

' And bid me in this matter ? Shall I stay 

1 Yonder with them, and wait until thy coming, 

• Or shall I hasten after thee again, 

' As soon as unto them I Ve given full orders ?" 

Whereat the chief of chieftains Agamemnon 

65 Thus answered him : " Stay there : lest as we go 
' We miss each other ; for the ways are many 
1 Throughout the host in camp : and speak aloud, 
' Which way soe'er thou goest, and bid ' Be awake/ 
' Naming each man by rank and father's name, 
' Honouring all : and carry not thyself 
' Haughty in mood : but Let yea Us toil also : 

70 ' On us in this wise at our birth, I ween, 

' Did Zeus launch heavy trouble." Saying thus, 
He gave full charge and sent his brother forth. 
Straight then to Nestor pastor of his people 
Went he his way. And by the dusky ship 
He found him at his camp-hut, in soft bed : 

75 And lying beside him was his rich-wrought harness, 
Shield, and two spears, and beaming helm : there also 
Lay the all-glistening belt, wherewith the old chief 
Did gird himself, when, leading forth his people, 
He armed for slaughterous battle : for indeed 
He gave not way to sad old age. Anon, 

80 Raising his head and propping him on elbow, 
He addressed Atreides thus, and questioned him : 
" And who thus 'mongst the ships art thou that comes t 
' Alone about the host, in dark of night, 
1 When other folk lie down to sleep ? Art seeking 
' Some of the watchers, or some comrade ? Speak ! 

85 ' Nor come to me in silence : What dost want?" 



BOOK K. 



259 



Anon the chief of chieftains Agamemnon 
Thus answered him : " Nestor, son of Neleus, 
Great Glory thou of Achaians, thou shalt ken 
Atreides Agamemnon, me whom Zeus 
Plunges past all men into troubles ever, 
So long as in my heart breath yet remains, 
And my dear limbs can stir. Thus am I wandering, 
For that sound Sleep sits not upon mine eyes, 
But anxiously I have in thought the War, 
And all the Achaians' trouble. For I fear 
Terribly for the Achaians, and my heart 
Is not steadfast, but I 'm distraught in soul : 
Leap does the very heart from out my breast, 
And under me my goodly limbs all tremble. 
But if thou'rt ready to do aught— (since also 
On Thee too Slumber comes not), Let's now go 
Round to those men on watch, that we may see, 
Whether o'erwhelmed by toil and drowsiness 
They fall asleep and quite forget their watching. 
For hard at hand the fbemen are encamped, 
Nor know we a whit they may not e'en by night 
Be bent on doing battle." Anon the horseman 
Gerenian Nestor answered him : " Atreides, 
Most glorious, Ghief of chieftains, Agamemnon, 
Of surety not will Zeus the lord of counsel 
Achieve for Hector all the thoughts, wherein 
He now perchance indulges hope : but He 
Should be distressed methinks with cares yet greater, 
Would but Achilles change and turn his heart 
From grievous wrath. But go with thee will I 
Right willingly : and Let us call yet others, 
Both spear-renowned Tydeides and Odusseus, 



262 



THE ILIAD. 



Uproused and chid him face to face : " Wake up ! 
' son of Tydeus ! Why sleep'st all night long? 
160 i Know'st not, how near our ships the Trojans camp them 
1 On the plain's rising slope, and little space 

* Keeps us asunder now ? " — He spake : anon, 
From out of sleep upstarted he all haste, 

And spake these winged words to him and said : 
" Unflinching art thou, Reverend Sir : from toil 
6 Thou indeed never ceasest : Are there not 

165 ' E'en others, younger men, sons of Achaians, 
' To go the round and wake each chieftain up ? 
i But Thou, resistless art thou, reverend Sir ! " 
Straight the Gerenian horseman Nestor answered : 
" Now sure, my friend, all this thou hast said right fitly ; 
1 Blemishless sons indeed have I, and folk 

170 ' Yea many, of whom some might go round and call them ; 

* But need is come full sore upon the Achaians ; 
' For Now indeed the matter stands with all 

' Balanced on rasor's edge, Whether 'tis Life, 

1 Or a sad gloomy Death for us Achaians. 

' But hie now and rouse the son of Phyleus up, 

175 * And Ajax too the nimble ; if on Me 

1 Thou takest pity, Go, for Thou art younger." 

He spake : and straight the youth flung o'er his shoulders 

A skin that reached his heels, a lion's hide, 

Tawny and huge : then seized his lance ; and forth 

He went his way : and the young chief uproused 

And brought them from their quarters. When at length 

180 Among the assembled watchers had they come, 
The leaders of the watchmen found they indeed 
Not sleeping; but awake, with harness on, 
They all were sitting. E'en as dogs round flocks 



book K. 263- 

In fold-yard keep a painful watch, at hearing 

Some fierce wild beast that comes from off the mountains 

185 Down through the wood ; and wide-spread hue and cry 
Of hounds and men is after him, and Sleep 
From them is clean departed ; so deep Sleep 
From these men's eyelids was clean gone, in watching 
The painsome night ; for always kept they turned 
Towards the plain, if haply might they hear 
The Trojans coming on, And now the old man 

190 At seeing them rejoiced, and by his speech 

Cheered them and spake these winged words and said : 
rl Watch now just so dear lads : and Let not Sleep 
' Get hold on any one ; lest we become 
' Unto our foes a joy." So saying, he darted 
Across the trench ; and with him followed also 

195 The Achaian princes, who had been called for counsel. 
And with them also went Meriones, 
And Nestor's glorious son ; whom they themselves 
Called into fellowship of counsel with them. 
So hied they through the deep-dug trench, and sat them 
In a clear place, where now appeared free room 
Among the bodies of the slain ; the spot 

200 Whence back again had mighty Hector turned, 

When, after slaughtering Argives, night enwrapped him. 

There sitting down, thus talked they each with other : 

And foremost Nestor the Gerenian horseman 

Began amongst them : " Is there ne'er a man, 

1 Will yield to his own adventurous heart, friends, 

205 ' For going amongst those mighty-hearted Trojan3 ? 
■ Some of the foe Ah haply might he catch 
* Straying about their outskirts, or perchance 
1 Might hear some sort of talk among the Trojans, 



264 THE ILIAD. X. 

i And what they're purposing among themselves ; 
6 Whether beside our ships they're bent on staying 
1 Here far aloof, or whether they'll withdraw 

210 ' Back to the Town again, seeing how indeed 

1 They've beaten us Argives. Might he learn all this, 
' And come back scatheless to us, — a great Glory 
' Reaching to heaven were His throughout the world, 
1 And he should have a gallant gift. For many 
1 As are our princes in command of ships, 

215 ' Each one and all shall give him a black # sheep, 
' Ewe, with her lamb beneath ; such gift indeed 
1 The like of which is not possessed : and ever 
' Honoured at feast and banquet shall he be." — 
He said : whereat were they all still and silent : 
Then outspake also doughty Diomed : 

220 " Nestor! my gallant spirit and heart stir Me 
' To plunge into the Trojan foemen's host 
1 Hard by : but would now any man yet else 
' Accompany me, more comfort and more daring 
1 So should it be. For when two go together, 
1 Sure one takes note 'fore other, how 'twere gain : 

225 ' But one alone, howe'er much note he takes, 

6 Yet is his mind more slow, and weak his counsel." 
He spake : whereat were they full many a one 
Willing to go with Diomed : each Ajax, 
Bold ministers of Ares, — they were willing ; 
Meriones was willing ; and all willing 
Was Nestor's son ; and willing was Atreides 

230 The spear-famed Menelaus ; willing also 
To plunge into the Trojans' host was He 
The staunch Odusseus ; for adventurous ever 

* Black, probably as in token of a night-exploit, 



book K. 265 

In His heart was the spirit. Anon before them 
Spake thus the chief of chieftains Agamemnon : 
" pleasing to my soul, Tydeides Diomed ! 

235 ' Now choose thee him for comrade, whom thou would'st, 
1 The choicest of all here, for ready are many : 
1 And leave not Thou, through reverence in thy heart, 
i The worthier one behind, and Thou,— Yield not 
' To bashfulness, nor have respect to birth, 
- And so for escort take the worser one, 
1 E'en though he be a king of larger realm." 

240 So spake he ; being alarmed about his brother 
Yellow-haired Menelaus. Now again 
Unto them spake the doughty Diomed : 
" If now indeed you bid me choose me a comrade, 
" How then forget can / divine Odusseus ? 
* Whose heart and gallant soul is passing ready 

245 ' In every toil, for Athene Pallas loves him : 

1 With Him for comrade, back we both should come, 

1 E'en from out blazing fire, so passing skilled 

' In wariness is He." Whereat anon 

Then spake the much-enduring prince Odusseus : 

" Tydeides, Give me neither fulsome praise, 

'Nor chide me at all ; for here thou speak'st 'mongst Argives 

250 ' Who know these things. But go we : for the Night 
1 Hastes to an end, and Eos is at hand : 
' Far-gone are now the stars, and of the Night 
' Most is gone by,— two parts thereof; but still 
1 Remains the third part yet." So saying, they twain 
Put on their terrible harness : to Tydeides 

255 Staunch Thrasymedes gave his two-edged cutlass, 
For at the ships his own was left behind ; 
Also a shield : and on his head he set 



266 THE ILIAD. X. 

A bull's-hide cap, without or peak or crest, 
Such as is called a skull-cap ; such as covers 
The heads of lusty lads. And to Odusseus 

260 Meriones gave sword and bow and quiver ; 

And set upon his head a well-wrought bonnet, 
Made of a hide ; and strongly from within 
With many a strap 'twas fastened ; and without 
Deftly and well upstood, thick, here and there 
Bright teeth of white-tusked boar ; and in the midst 

265 Fitted was close-packed felt ; — this cap erewhile 
Was taken out of Eleon from Amyntor, 
The son of Hormenos, by Autolycus # 
Who brake right into his close-barred house : he gave it 
To the Oytherian lord Amphidamas 
At Scandia ; and again Amphidamas 
Gave it for friendly guest-pledge unto Molos ; 

270 And He again bestowed it on his son, 

Meriones, to wear: so now 'twas donned 
Covering Odusseus' head. Thus both equipped 
In harness grim, the twain went forth their way, 
And left the princes all still there behind them. 
Anon, hard by their path Athene Pallas 
Sent flying upon their right a lucky heron : 

275 Yet through the gloom of night they saw him not 
Before their eyes, but heard him as he screamed. 
Glad was Odusseus then at such a bird, 
And straight he prayed to Athene : " Hear me now, 
' Daughter of JSgis-bearing Zeus ! thou 
' Who in all my troubles always standest by me, 
■ Nor do I ever move without thy notice : 

* This Autolycus was a famous Freebooter prince who lived in a large house near 
mount Parnassus, and was the maternal grandfather of Odusseus. See Odyssey: 
Book xix. 395, etc. 



BOOK K. 



267 



280 



285 



290 



295 



300 



Now specially again befriend me, Athene ! 
And grant us to return again with glory 
Unto the ships, when some great deed we Ve done 
As may the Trojans rue." Then furthermore 
Thus prayed the doughty Diomed : " Hear now, 
daughter of Zeus, Unwearied One ! me also ! 
Escort thou me, e'en as thou didst escort 
My sire prince Tydeus on a time to Thebes, 
When thither went he forth on embassage 
Before the Achaians : by Asopus' banks 
Them did he leave, — the brazen-mailed Achaians ; 
While of a courteous message he was bearer 
To the Cadmeians yonder : but returning 
Back thence again he wrought full toilsome deeds, 
By Thy good help, goddess, daughter of Zeus, 
For that with kindly thought thou stoodst beside him : 
So now guard Me, and ready stand my friend. 
Then will I sacrifice upon Thine altar 
A yearling heifer, broad betwixt the eyes, 
Untamed, Which never has man led 'neath the yoke. 
Her will I sacrifice to Thee, and gold 
1 11 spread about her horns." So spake they praying ; 
And favouring ear Athene Pallas gave them. 
Now when they had prayed the daughter of great Zeus, 
On went they, like two lions, through dark night, 
'Mid slaughter, 'mong dead bodies, and 'mongst harness 
And murky blood. — Meanwhile, no never a whit 
Did Hector let the gallant Trojans rest, 
But summoned all his nobles into assembly, 
Leaders and guardian princes of the Trojans : 
So them called He together, and before them 
Thus framed his crafty counsel : " Who, who now 



268 THE ILIAD. X. 

' Will undertake this task and carry it through 
' For a large gift ? and sure shall be his pay : 

305 ' A chariot and a pair of proud-necked horses, 
1 Even the best at the Argives' nimble ships, 
6 Til give to Him who '11 venture (and he'll gain 
1 Renown to himself thereby)— to go right close 
' Up to these quick-going ships, and there find out, 
1 Whether the nimble galleys, as afore, 

310 ' Are guarded still : or whether, being o'erpowered 
' Under our hands, they now resolve amongst them 
' On flight, — nor care, o'erwhelmed by terrible toil, 
' To keep the nightly watch." He spake : but mute 
And silent were they all. Now amongst the Trojans 
There was one Dolon, son of a sacred herald 

315 Eumedes, rich in copper, rich in gold : 
Ugly in very sooth he was to look at, 
But nimble-footed : and among five sisters 
Alone was He : anon before the Trojans 
And Hector he drew near and said : " Hector ! 
' My gallant spirit and heart urge Me to go 

320 ' Up to the quick-going galleys, and find out, 

' But come, Hold out thy Staff, and Swear me an oath, 

' Thou 'It surely give me both the brass-decked chariot, 

? Also those horses that are wont to bear 

1 The blemishless Peleides : then a scout 

' 1 11 be for thee not idle, nor at odds 

1 With expectation : for I '11 go right through 

325 ' Into their host, until I reach the ship 
' Of Agamemnon, for 'tis there the chiefs 
' Belike are taking counsel— or for fleeing, 
1 Or else for battle." Spake he thus : whereat 
Prince Hector put the sceptre into his hands, 



book K. 269 

And to hiru sware : u Now Let great Zens himself, 

1 Here's high-thundering lord, hereto be Witness, — 

( How that of Trojans shall none other man 

1 Be borne upon that chariot ; but I say 

1 That Thou shalt have delight therein for ever!" 

He spake ; though but vain bootless oath he sware ; 

Yet Him he urged. Whereat about his shoulders 

He slung his crooked bow and shafts ; and donned 

For outer garb the skin of grizzly wolf, 

And on his head a cap of weasel-skin ; 

Sharp javelin then he grasped ; and from the host 

Forth for the ships he went his way : but sure 

Not from the ships was he to come again 

And bring back word to Hector. When howe'er 

Behind him had he left the crowded throng 

Of men and horse and chariots, eagerly 

He hied along his way : But as he came, 

Jove-sprung Odusseus noticed him, whereat 

To Diomed he spake : " Sure now comes hither 

1 A man from out the host, Diomed, — 

' 1 know not, whether set to watch our galleys, 

'' Or come to strip some corse among the dead. 

' We 11 suffer him howe'er some little way 

1 To pass on by us ; Then a sudden dash 

i Let 's make and seize him : if on foot howe'er 

1 He shall outrun us both, still rush thou on 

' With spear, and from his host hard press him on 

i Ever towards the ships, lest haply away 

'Towards the Town he escape." So saying, aside 

Out of the way they turned and laid them down 

Among the dead ; and He, with ne'er an inkling, 

Ran swiftly past : but when he was aloof 



270 THE ILIAD. X. 

As far a stitch as that of mules past oxen 

Ploughing a furrow — (for indeed in drawing 

The strong-built plough through deep-soiled fallow-land 

Mules outstrip oxen), they ran suddenly at him : 

So He, he heard a noise forsooth, and stopped : 

355 For heartily did he hope 't was comrades come 
From forth the Trojans., come to turn him back, 
By countermand of Hector : when howe'er 
But spear's throw were they aloof, or even less, 
He felt how they were foemen : then he plied 
His nimble knees for flight : and they forthwith 

360 Rushed in pursuit. And as two sharp-fanged hounds, 
Skilled in the chase, press ever on and on 
Through woodland glen after young deer or hare, 
And he runs crying before them ; so still on, 
On ever, did the City-wasting chief 
Odusseus and Tydeides give him chase, 
And from his people cut him off. But when, 

365 Fleeing to the ships, he soon was like to mix 
Among the watchers, then indeed Athene 
Put mighty fierceness into Tydeus' son, 
That no one of the brazen-mailed Achaians 
Should be beforehand in the glory of hitting, 
And He come second-best : so with his lance 
Bold Diomed now darted on and cried : 

370 " Or Stop, or thee I sure shall reach with lance : 
' And thou, methinks, not long shalt then escape 
' Sheer Death from forth my hand." He spake ; and forth 
Let fly his spear ; but missed the man on purpose. 
O'er his right shoulder flew the polished shaft; 
The point stuck fast in earth : whereat indeed 
Stopped He, and was afeared, chattring i' th' teeth, 



book K. 271 

375 Whereof the rattling rose throughout his mouth, 
He pale for fright : they, panting, now came up 
And of his hands laid hold ; whereat in tears 
He spake this word : " take me alive, and I, 
' I '11 pay for my release : for copper and gold 
1 There is at home and much-wrought iron, whereof— 

380 * Unto you freely would my father give 

1 A countless ransom, if he might but hear 

' Of me at the Argives' galleys yet alive. " 

Straight answered him Odusseus ever-ready : 

" Be of good cheer ; and never a whit let Death 

' Be troublous in thy thoughts : but come; here tell me, 

1 And give me true account : Why thus alone 

385 ' Towards the ships dost come away from the host, 

' Through darksome night, when other folk are sleeping ? 

*' Dost come to strip some corse among the dead ? 

' Or forth has Hector sent thee to spy out 

( All at our hollow ships ? or of thyself 

1 Has thine own heart thus urged thee ? "— Then in answer 

390 Dolon replied, while under him his limbs 

Did quake again for fear : " By much beguilement 
' Hector has led me astray beside myself ; 
\ He promised, he would give me firm-hoofed horses 
1 Of prince Peleides, and his brass-decked chariot ; 
( And bade me go, in dark quick-passing night, 

395 ' And get me nigh the foemen, and find out, 
' Whether the nimble ships are guarded still, 
' E'en as afore ; or whether, being o'erpowered 
' Under our hands, ye were already amongst you 
1 Planning for flight ; and haply might not care 
i O'erwhelmed by terrible toil, to keep night-watch/' 

400 Smiling hereat, Odusseus ever-ready 



272 THE ILIAD. X. 

Addressed liim : " Now of a surety was thy mind 

* Set upon mighty gifts indeed, the horses 

' Of the bold warrior-chief JEacides ! 

i But hard to manage and to drive are they, 

4 For death-doomed men forsooth, — at least for any 

6 Saving Achilles, whom a deathless mother 

405 ' Brought into being. But now, tell me this, 
' And give me true account : at coming hither, 
' Where left'st thou Hector, pastor of the host? 
4 Where lies his battle-gear? and where his horses ? 
' And How of the other Trojans, in what way 
4 Are both their watches and their sleeping-quarters ? 
t Tell me what plans do they devise amongst them, 

410 ' Whether they set their minds on staying yet 
' Here by our ships aloof, or back to Town 
' Will they withdraw, since mastering us Achaians. ,, 
Dolon, Eumedes' son, straight answered him : 
' All this will I full truly lay thee dow r n : 
1 Hector, beside yon tomb of godlike Ilus, 

415 ' Aloof from all the din, is taking counsel 

' With those that are our leading men of counsel : 
' But as for watches, into which thou enquirest, 
' No chosen one, my lord, protects the host, 
' Nor yet keeps guard. For many as are our fires, 
' They 're Hearth-fires of the Trojans : they re awake 
' (And need sure have they), and exhort each other 

420 ' To keep good watch : but sleeping are the allies 
' Far-summoned ; and to Trojans do they leave it 
4 To keep on watch : for they 've nor wives nor children 
4 Settled here close at hand." Then answered him 
Odusseus ever-ready and said : " And How? — 
' Mixed 'mongst the Trojan horsemen do they sleep, 



book K. 273 

i Or sep'rate ? Tell me in full, that I may know." 

Dolon, Eumedes' son, then answered him : 

11 This too will I yea tell thee all full truly : 

'Towards the sea are Oarians and Cauconians,- 

\ Pseoninns also with their crooked bows, 

1 High-born Pelasgians also, and Lelegians; 

1 Then towards Thymbre their allotted place 

i Have Lycians, and Mseonians with their chariots, 

' Horse-taming Phrygians too and high-souled Mysians. 

' But why of me with such close questioning 

' Ask ye these several matters ? If ye have set 

1 Your hearts on entering now the Trojan camp, — 

6 Here are these Thracians, newly-come, aloof, 

1 Outmost of all : and with them is their king 

' Rhesus, the son of Ejoneus. Whose horses 

' I 've seen forsooth the goodliest and the tallest ; 

i Whiter than snow, and like the wind for swiftness. 

' His chariot too with silver and with gold 

' Is richly wrought ; and hither came he wearing 

' Harness of gold, wondrous to see, prodigious. 

1 The which no-wise for death-doomed men to wear 

' Beseems it, but alone for deathless gods. 

' But to your quick-going ships at once now take me, 

* Or bind and leave me here in ruthless bond, 

1 Until ye come again, and shall have proved me, 

'Whether I 've spoken rightly or not before you." 

Whereat then answered sturdy Diomed, 

Eyeing him grimly : " Take not now, I pr'ythee, 

' Into thy heart (although good news thou bringest) 

' A thought of any escape, since hast thou come 

' Into my hands : for should we now for ransom 

1 Release and let thee go, sure then hereafter 

18 



274 THE ILIAD. X. 

450 ' Either to spy about wouldst thou be coming 
1 Unto the Achaians' nimble ships, — or fighting 
' Openly face to face. But if o'ermastered 
1 Beneath my hands thou losest now thy life, 
1 Mischief no more shalt Thou be then to Argives." 
He said : and Dolon was about to stroke 

455 His chin with ample hand and beg for quarter : 

But darting swift with sword the warrior smote him 
Right in mid neck, and cut through both the sinews 
And, e'en while uttering yet a voice, his pate 
Was mingled in the dust. Straight from the head 
They plucked the cap of weazel-skin, and took 
His wolf-skin, and his bending bow and quiver, 

460 And lengthy spear : all these the prince Odusseus 
Held up aloft in hand and prayed to Athene 
(For she dispenses booty), and spake this word : 
" Herewith, goddess, be thou pleased ! for Thee 
* Foremost of all the Deathless on Olympus 
' Will we invoke : but speed us e'en yet further 
' Unto the horses of the Thracian men, 

465 ' And to their sleeping quarters." — Spake he thus, 
And raising them aloft above his head 
He placed them on a tamarisk-tree : then snatching 
Together goodly branches of the tamarisk, 
And reeds, he thereby set them for a sign, 
Plain seen, lest, when he came again i' th' dark 
Quick-passing night, they might escape his notice. 

470 So now the two stepped on again, through harness 
And darksome blood, and quickly came and reached 
The Thracian men's main body : They were sleeping 
O'erwhelmed by toil : and by them on the ground 
Was laid their goodly harness, in three lines, 



book K. 275 

Deftly in order ; and beside them each 
Were horses double-yoked : and in the midst 

i Slept Rhesus ; and beside him his swift horses 
Were tethered to his hindmost chariot-rail 
By straps. Him now Odusseus first espied 
And pointed out to Diomed : — " Lo here, 
' Sure here's the man, Diomed, and here, 
1 These are the horses whereof Dolon told us, 
' Whom we now slew. But come, Put forth bold strength ; 

) ' For never a whit behoves it thee to stand 
' Idle in arms : but quick, undo the horses : 
' Or thou, slay thou the men, and let the horses 
1 Be My concern." He spake : then into his comrade 
Bright-eyed Athene breathed a mighty spirit : 
Then did he slaughter, turning him about 
This way and that way; and unseemly arose 

> The groaning of the smitten ones by sword, 

And the earth grew red with blood. And as on flocks 

Left without herdsman, whether goats or sheep, 

A lion comes with mischievous intent 

And leaps upon them, — so on Thracian men 

Came Tydeus' son, till slaughtered had he twelve. 

And shrewd Odusseus,— oft as e'er Tydeides 

) Drew near and smote one with the edge of sword, 
Him, from behind, Odusseus seized and dragged 
Forth by the foot ; for thus he thought at heart, 
That so the fair-maned horses readily 
Would pass, and not be frightened in their spirit 
By stepping 'mongst dead bodies ; for as yet 
Thereto they were not wonted. When at length 
495 The son of Tydeus lighted on the king, — 
Honey-sweet Life he took away from Him, 



276 THE ILIAD. X. 

The thirteenth, as he lay asleep, hard-breathing ; 
For o'er his head, by Athene's craft, that night 
There stood an evil dream,— Oineides' son ! — # 
Meanwhile, the staunch Odusseus, he untied 
The firm-hoofed horses, coupled them together 

500 With straps, and drave away from out the host, 

Switching them with his bow ; for the bright whip 
Not had he thought of taking into his hands 
From out the fair-decked chariot : then he whistled, 
Giving prince Diomed thereby a token. 
But He stayed pondering, what he yet might do 
More houndlike-daring ; whether should he seize 

505 The car, wherein were broidered harness lying, 
And drag it forth by its pole, or up therefrom 
Lift them and carry off ; or whether yet 
From e'en more Thracians should he take the life. 
While turning was he this in mind, — Athene 
Drew near and spake to godlike Diomed : 
" Son of the high-souled Tydeus ! to thy ships 

510 ' Bethink thee of return ; lest shalt thou thither 
6 Have to go fleeing : lest some other god 
' Shall haply awake the Trojans too." She spake : 
Whereat an inkling had he 'twas the sound 
Of goddess' voice : then swift he gat on horse ; 
And with his bow Odusseus struck, and forth 
Flew they along for the Argives' nimble ships. 

515 Meanwhile, Apollo of the Silver Bow 

Did keep no blind-fold watch : — soon as he saw 
Athene thus escorting Tydeus' son, 
Against her was he wroth, and plunged forthwith 
Into the Trojans' wide-spread host, and waked 

* That is, (Diomed) the son of (Tydeus) the son of Oineus, 



book K, 277 

Hippocoon up, a Thracian counsellor, 
A kinsman bold of Rhesus : out of sleep 

520 He started up : and when he saw the place 

Left empty, where had stood the nimble horses, 
And men in painsome slaughter all around 
Gasping convulsive, — straight he wailed aloud 
And called his friend by name : then rose a cry 
And uproar, past all telling, of the Trojans 
Rushing together ; and aghast they saw 

525 The deeds of mischief that the foes had done, 

And how they had gone again to the hollow ships. — 
When They, meanwhile, had reached again the spot 
Where Hector's scout they had slaughtered, — there Odusseus 
Beloved of Zeus, held in the nimble horses : 
Then sprang Tydeides to the ground, and put 
The gory spoils into Odusseus' hands : 

530 On horse again he mounted ; whipped the horses ; 
And not unwilling flew they both along 
Unto the hollow ships : for thitherward 
It now did please their heart. The clatt'ring noise 
Old Nestor foremost heard, and spake : " friends, 
' Leaders and Guardian princes of the Achaians ! 
' False shall I say, or true? my heart however 

535 ' Does bid me say : there strikes upon mine ears 
1 A clatt'ring noise of nimble-footed horses : 
1 that Odusseus now and Diomed, 
1 That sturdy one, may hitherward be driving 
1 Straight from the Trojan host these firm-hoofed horses. 
' Yet strangely at heart I fear lest they, the best 
' Of Argives all, have suffered some mishap 

540 ' Amid the Trojans' din."— Not yet quite spoken 
Was all his word, when came the very men : 



278 THE ILIAD. X. 

To ground straightway dismounted they ; and glad 
Their comrades welcomed them with right-hand grasp, 
And words all sweet as honey. And first the horseman 
Gerenian Nestor thus 'gan ask : " Now tell me, 
How did ye take, — thou far-praised Odusseus, 
545 ' Great Glory thou of Achaians, — How— these horses ? 
The Trojans' host did ye enter? or did some god 
Fall in with you and give them ? — Rays of the Sun 
Sure strangely are they like ! Among the Trojans 
In fight I'm ever mingling, and no laggard 
Am I at the ships, methinks, how old a warrior 
Soe'er I be ; but never horse like these 
550 ' Yet have I seen or noticed : but, methinks, 

Some god has met you and given them : for beloved 
Of the Cloud-Gatherer Zeus are you, yea both ; 
And likewise of the Bright-eyed maid Athene 
Daughter of iEgis-bearing Zeus/' Then spake 
And answered him Odusseus ever-ready : 
555 " Nestor, Neleus' son, great Glory of Argives ! 
Horses forsooth, yea better e'en than these, 
A god, if so at least he chose, might give us 
With ease, for they 're far mightier. But these horses 
Whereof thou askest, reverend Sir, are Thracian, 
But newly come : and gallant Diomed 
560 ' Has killed the king their owner, and full twelve 
His noblest comrades with him : near our ships 
Their scout, thirteenth, we slaughtered ; one whom Hector 
And other Trojan nobles forth had sent, 
To be a spy about our host."— So saying, 
He chuckled loud, and drave the firm-hoofed horses 
565 Across the trench ; and with him went the Achaians 

Rejoicing all. And straightway, when they had reached 






book K. 279 



Tydeides' well-built hut, they tied the steeds 
With fair-cut straps to horse-crib, where stood also 
The swift-paced horses of prince Diomed, 
Eating their corn so honey-sweet. Anon, 

570 Odusseus laid the gory spoils of Dolon 
Into his ship's hind-part, till for Athene 
They might prepare the offering. Went they now 
Into the sea, and from them there washed off 
The sweat that lay so full about their necks 
And legs and thighs. Soon as from off their skin 
The billowy sea had washed away much sweat, 

575 And gained had they their heart again, — they stepped 
Into fair-polished bathing-tubs and bathed. 
So bathed they twain, and 'nointed them with oil : 
Then sat to breakfast ; and from mixing-bowl, 
Filled high, the wine all honey-sweet they drew. 
And to Athene poured libations due. 



280 



THE ILIAD. XI. 



ARGUMENT OF THE ELEVENTH BOOK. A. 

Eris, the goddess of Strife, urges the Argives to battle. Agamemnon arms 
himself for it, as also do the Trojans. Till noon the battle, in the 
absence of the gods, is doubtful. Agamemnon does great deeds, and 
kills many : is at last wounded and withdraws. Hector rallies the 
Trojans and slays many Argives. Odusseus and Diomed oppose him. 
Diomed is wounded by Paris. Odusseus, all alone, is hemmed in by the 
foe ; of whom he yet slays many ; He is wounded : Meneliius and Ajax 
come to his aid. Paris wounds Machaon and others. Machaon is 
conveyed to the ships by Nestor. Achilles sees them coming and sends 
Patroclus to make out who is wounded. Nestor persuades Patroclus to 
put on Achilles' armour, and to help the Argives, and tells him a tale of 
his own exploits of former days. 

LAMBDA : the doughty deeds of Agamemnon. 



10 



Leaving high-born Tithonos and his bed, 
Eos now rose, to bring her morning light 
Both for the Deathless, and for men death-doomed : 
Then Zeus dispatched to the Argives' pointed galleys 
Eris, the goddess of stern Strife ; the sign 
Of War she held in hand : anon she stood 
Upon Odusseus' huge dark ship, which lay- 
In midmost point, whence might a shout be heard 
At either end, — at both Achilles' hut 
And that of Ajax, son of Telamon : 
For they, relying on their manly prowess 
And strength of arm, had drawn up their good ships 
At the outmost ends : there stood the goddess, shouting 



book A. 281 

Both dread and loud to the Argives ; and she put 
Into the heart of each a mighty strength 
To battle and fight unceasingly : whereat 
Battle forthwith became to them more sweet 
Than sailing home again in hollow ships 
Unto their own dear fatherland. Now Atreides 
Cried out and bade the Achaians gird themselves : 
And gleaming brass he donned himself : and first 
Fair greaves, fitted with silver ankle-clasps, 
He put upon his legs ; next, round his chest 
He donned his corslet, which lord Cinyras 
Gave him erewhile for guest-pledge ; for he heard, 
Far off as even at Cyprus the great rumour, — 
That Argives were about to sail away 
In ships for Troy : w 7 herefore he gave him this, 
To shew the king a kindness : bands thereof 
Were ten of dark blue steel and twelve of gold, 
And tw 7 enty of tin : on either side to the neck, 
Three dragons, glossy blue, upstretched themselves, 
Like rainbows, — those Chronion sets i'th' cloud, 
A sign to language-gifted men. With belt 
On shoulder then he flung a sword, whereon 
Bright beamed its golden studs ; and round about it 
A silver sheath, furnished with golden straps. 
Then up he took his comely shield, so furious, 
Cover for all the man, — full richly dight, 
Where-round about were circles ten of brass, 
And twenty bosses were there, white, of tin, 
And one of dark blue steel there was in midst. 
And round about thereon was placed, grim-looking, 
The Gorgon, glaring awfully ; and Fright, 
And Terror. And the band thereof was silver, 



282 THE ILIAD. XI. 

On which a dark blue dragon coiled himself, 
Having three heads which turned them every way 
Uprising on one neck. — Next, on his head 

40 He set his helm, four-plumed, with studs all round, 
Bedecked with horse-tail ; and the crest thereof 
Grim from above did nod. Anon he grasped 
Two sturdy spears, keen-pointed, tipped with brass. 
And forth did shine the brass thereof afar 
E'en unto heaven : w T hence both Athene and Here, 

45 In honour of the king of rich Mycene, 

Now sent a thundering noise. Then every chief 

Did charge his charioteer to stay his horses 

There at the trench in orderly array, 

While they themselves on foot strode on, heavy-armed, 

With all their harness : and the battle-cry 

50 Arose unquenchable in front of Eos.— * 
Thus by the trench, the first in battle array 
Up drew they, horse and all ; for little after 
The horsemen followed : but unlucky huddling 
Amongst them Chronides upstirred, and sent 
Blood-dripping rain-drops down from heaven above, 
For that he purposed to dispatch to Hades 

55 Full many a mighty head untimely down. 
Meanwhile on the other side, the Trojan host 
Also was marshalled, on the rising plain, — 
Around tall Hector ; round Polydamas 
The faultless ; round iEneas, who as a god 
Was honoured of the people 'mongst the Trojans ; 
Also around three sons of old Antenor, 

60 Polybus, and Agenor, and the youth 

Bold Acamas, in fashion like the Deathless. 

* That is to say, in the early morning. 



book A. 283 

And Hector bare his round and even shield 

Amongst the foremost. And as, forth from clouds, 

Comes into sight the Baleful Star, bright-beaming, 

Then goes again behind the shadowy clouds ; 

E'en so was Hector seen sometimes in front, 

Sometimes amid the rear, to urge them on : 

And all in brass he shone, like as the lightning 

Shines forth from father Zeus the JEgis-bearer. 

And e'en as, in the field of a wealthy man, 

Reapers from opposite sides, each other facing, 

Might work their way along a swathe of barley, 

Or wheat, and fast and thick their handfuls fall ; 

So did the Trojan and the Achaian troops 

Attack and slay each other : and no thought 

Was there on either side for baneful flight : 

But equal heads upheld they in the battle ; 

And rush did they, like wolves : and at the sight 

Eris, the painsome goddess of war-strife, 

Was indeed glad : for only she of the gods 

Was with the battling hosts ; and the other gods 

Were not amongst them, but sat quiet at home, 

Where builded for them each were fair abodes 

About the Olympian clefts : but all did blame 

The cloud-wrapt Chronides, because he wished 

To hold out glory to the Trojans' reach. 

The Sire howe'er cared not for all their blame ; 

But he, withdrawing aside from all the rest, 

Sat him aloof, rejoicing in his glory, 

To view the Trojans' Town and the Argives' galleys, 

The sheen of brass, the slaughterers, and the slain. — 

While yet 'twas Morn, and sacred Day was waxing, 

So long the shafts from both sides reached their marks, 



284 



THE ILIAD. XI. 



And men did fall. — But at what wonted time 
The woodman up in mountain glens makes ready 
His dinner, seeing he has had enough in hand 
Of cutting down tall trees, whereof a loathing 
Has come upon his heart ; and for sweet food 
A yearning seizes him all 'neath his ribs ; 
90 Then on in lines the Danaans urged their comrades, 
And by their prowess brake their way through ranks : 
And foremost Agamemnon darted forth ; 
And slew a man of war, his people's pastor, 
The lord Bienor ; him and then his comrade, 
His charioteer Oileus. He indeed 
Down from the chariot at him sprang to attack : 
95 But in the forehead as he rushed straight on 

The king with keen spear pierced him, and the helm, 
Heavy with brass although, stayed not the shaft, 
But through it, bone and all, it went, and shaken 
Within was all his brain : and dead he struck him 
In mid career. And there with breasts bright-gleaming 
The chief of chieftains Agamemnon left them, 

100 When off he had stripped their corslets : then went He 
To slay and spoil both Antiphus and Isos, 
Two sons of Priam, together in one chariot, 
A bastard one, and one in wedlock born : 
The bastard he was holder of the reins ; 
While far-famed Antiphus beside him stood 
For combat : once on Ida's ridgy knolls, 

105 Where they kept flocks, Achilles came on them 

Among their sheep, and bound them fast with osiers : 
But for a ransom loosed them. Now Atreides 
The broad-realmed Agamemnon with his lance 
Hit one upon the breast above the nipple, 



book A. 285 

And with his sword smote Antiphus by the ear, 
And hurled him from his chariot : then in haste 

110 From off them both he stripped their goodly harness : 
He knew them : for he had seen them both afore, 
Down at the sharp-prowed ships, what time from Ida 
Foot-swift Achilles brought them. And as a lion 
Enters upon the lair of nimble hind, 
And with strong teeth seizes her youngling fawns, 
And craunches them with ease, and quickly tears 

115 Their tender heart away ; and she,' the while, 
However near at hand she chance to be, 
Cannot avail them ; for strange trembling comes 
Sudden upon herself ; and hurriedly 
She darts along through copse and brushwood thick, 
Sore sweating at the strong wild beast's attack ; — 

120 So from these youths could no one of the Trojans 
Ward off sheer death, but they too fled for fear 
At the Argives' onslaught. Now again the king 
Attacked Peisander and Hippolochus 
The staunch in fight, sons of Antlmachus 
A doughty warrior, — who did take rich bribes, 
Prince Alexander's gold ; through which 't was He 

125 Chiefly prevented giving Helen up 

To yellow-haired Menelaus : on His two sons, 
Both in one chariot (for their nimble horses 
Used they to drive together), now did come 
King Agamemnon, for from out their hands 
The glossy reins had 'scaped, whereat their horses 
Were in confusion : and as 'twere a lion 

130 Against them rose Atreides : whereupon 
They from the chariot thus entreated him : 
" Take us alive ! and Thou, son of Atreus, 



2S6 THE ILIAD. XI. 

1 Accept thou a worthy ransom : many a treasure 

' Lies in the palace of Antimachus, 

1 Both copper and gold and much-wrought iron ; whereof 

' Our sire would freely give thee a countless ransom, 

135 ' Might he but hear of us both safe and sound 

1 At the Argives' galleys." —Thus with soothing words 
Did they in tears address the king ; but a voice 
Unsoothed they heard in answer : " If now indeed 
1 Ye be the sons of doughty Antimachus, — 
1 Yea Him, who in the assembly once of Trojans 
1 Advised them there to slaughter Menelaus, 

140 ' Who had come on embassage, with prince Odusseus, 
' And not to let them forth again to the Argives ; — 
' Here now for such a sire's unseemly outrage 
' Ye sure shall pay." He spake ; and with his lance 
Hit lord Peisander on the breast, and thrust him 
From off his chariot to the ground; and there 
Pitched in the dust he lay supine : meanwhile, 

145 Hippolochus leapt off, but on the ground 

The king soon spoiled him, lopped his limbs away, 
And smote his neck asunder with the sword, 
And hurled him forth, like a mortar to be trundled, 
The sport of all the throng. So them he left : 
And where the ranks were wildest in confusion, 
Thereinto he did leap, and with him rushed 

150 His fair-greaved Argives also : foot slew foot 

Fleeing perforce, and horsemen slaughtered horsemen 
With edge of sword ; and under them from earth 
Rose dust, upraised by horses' thundering feet : 
But on — king Agamemnon cheered his Argives, 
On ever, and pursued and slew the foe. — 

155 And as when wasteful Fire has fall'n in a wood 



book A. 287 

Uuthinned of timber, and the eddying wind 

Fans it along and bears it every way, 

And root and branch the bushes fall o'erwhelmed 

By rage of fire ; so heads of fleeing Trojans 

Did fall beneath Atreides Agamemnon ; 

And many a proud-necked horse did sorely miss 

160 His faultless driver, and with empty chariot 
Battled along the gangways of the fight ; 
While on the ground lay They, a sight more pleasant 
To vultures than for wives. But out of reach 
Of weapons, and from dust and blood and slaughter, 
And from the uproar, Zeus withdrew prince Hector : 
Atreides yet pursued, eagerly cheering 

165 The Danaans on. Now rushing were the Trojans, 
Eager to gain the Town, o'er the mid plain, 
Past the wild fig-tree, by the funeral mound 
Of ancient Ilus, son of Dardanus : 
Yet ever He with battle-cry, Atreides 
Did still pursue, and still defiled with gore 
His unmatched hands. But when at length some reached 

170 Tha Scaian gates and oak-tree, there they halted, 
And waited one for other : for yet others 
O'er the mid plain were fleeing in dismay ; 
Like heifers, when a lion in dead of night 
Comes and dismays them, and to flight scares all ; 
But sure to one appears o'erwhelming death ; 

175 And with strong teeth he seizes her, and first 
Bends out her neck, then swallows greedily 
Inwards and blood and all ; so them Atreides 
King Agamemnon ontvards did pursue, 
And ever still did slay the hindmost one ; 
And they did flee in affright. And from his chariot 



288 THE ILIAD. XI. 

Fell many a one, face down or laid on back, 

180 Under Atreides' hand ; for with his lance 

Full foremost he did rage. But when at length 
Now was he soon about to reach the Town 
And lofty wall, just then from heaven forth came 
The sire of men and gods, and sat him down 
Upon the peaks of many-fountained Ida ; 
And in his hands he held a flash of lightning : 

185 Anon he aroused the golden-winged Iris, 

To bear a message : " Hie thee forth, swift Iris, 
i And tell this word to Hector : While he sees 
1 Lord Agamemnon pastor of his people 
' Thus rushing on among the foremost fighters, 
1 And slaughtering ranks of men, so long Let Him 
' Withdraw from fight, but yet bid all his host 

190 \ To fight in sturdy battle with the foe ; 

' But when the Achaian Chief, or shot by arrow 
* Or struck by spear, shall leap upon his chariot, 
' Then will I put the mast'ry in Hector's hands 
1 To slay, till he may reach the trim-built ships, 
f And sun shall set, and sacred night come on." 

195 He spake : and Iris, foot-swift as the wind, 

Was nothing slack to obey : so down she sped 
From heights of Ida unto sacred Ilion : 
She found bold-hearted Priam's son, prince Hector, 
Standing on fair-wrought chariot, and with horses : 
To him anon drew near the foot-swift Iris, 
. And thus addressed him : " Son of Priam, prince Hector, 

200 ' Equal to Jove in counsel, — unto thee 

1 Has father Zeus dispatched me to say thus : 
' While thou shalt haply see lord Agamemnon, 
! The pastor of his people, rushing on 



book A. 289 

1 'Mongst foremost fighters,— slaughtering ranks of men, 
1 So long from fight withdraw thou, but bid all 

• Thy host to fight the foe in sturdy battle : 

* But when, or struck by spear or shot by arrow, 
6 Haply upon his chariot shall he leap, — 

' Then in Thy hands the mast'ry will He put 

1 To slay, till thou mayst reach the trim-built ships, 

1 And sun shall set, and sacred night come on." 

So saying, away went She, the foot-swift Iris. 

Straight from his chariot to the ground leapt Hector 

All harnessed ; and to cheer them on to fight, 

He strode about the host on every side, 

Brandishing two sharp spears ; and up he waked 

The terrible war-cry : then they wheeled about, 

And stood against the Achaians face to face. 

On t' other side the Argives also strengthened 

Their lines ; and set was all in battle-array ; 

And opposite they stood : and Agamemnon 

Eushed foremost in ; for fain was he to fight 

Far foremost of them all. Now, ye Muses, 

Dwelling in fair abodes upon Olympus, 

Now tell me Who,— and whether of the Trojans 

Or of the allies far-summoned, — Who first came 

'Gainst Agamemnon. 'Twas Antenor's son, 

Iphidamas, both tall and brave : brought up 

Was He in loamy Thrace, the mother of flocks. 

His mother's father Cisseus, who begat 

Fair-cheeked Theano, reared him in his halls 

Through boyhood years; and when he had reached the 

measure 
Of manhood's glorious bloom, there still he kept him ; 
And gave him his own daughter : so he married, 

19 



290 THE ILIAD. XI. 

But soon, at the report about the Aehaians, 
From out his bridal chamber went he forth, 
"With twice six crook-beaked ships that followed him. 
Then at Percope these brave ships he left ; 

230 And journeying thence on foot had come to Ilion : 
'Twas He now met Atreides Agamemnon. 
Now when at hand they were to attack each other, 
Atreides missed ; sideways his lance went wrong : 
But him beneath his corslet, on the belt, 
Iphidamas with keen point reached ; and pushed 

235 With all his force, relying on weighty hand. 

Yet the spear's point pierced not the all-glistening belt ; 
But long ere that, it came upon the silver, 
Whereon 'twas bent all back, like lead. Now seizing 
This lance in hand, the broad-realm ed Agamemnon 
Pulled it towards him, vehement as a lion ; 

240 And from the foe's hand plucked it forth ; and him 
He smote with sword at neck, and loosed his limbs. 
So there, while aiding townsmen, thus fell He, 
And slept indeed the brazen Sleep of death, 
Most pitiable, far from his wedded wife 
His youthful bride, whose favour scarcely a whit 
He yet had seen, though dowry large he gave : 

245 First gave he a hundred beeves, and furthermore 
Promised a thousand sheep and goats together ; 
For countless on his pastures did they graze. 
But now Atreides Agamemnon spoiled him ; 
And carried off his goodly arms, and went 
Into the Achaians' throng. Now soon as Coon, 
Renowned of men, Antenor's eldest son, 

250 Was 'ware of him, forthwith a mighty grief 
O'ereast his eyes, for sake of brother fallen. 



book A. 291 

Escaping then prince Agamemnon's notice 

Sideways he stood with spear, and him he stabbed 

In his mid arm, below the bend of elbow, 

And the bright spear's point held its way right through. 

Anon the chief of chieftains Agamemnon 

Shuddered thereat : yet ceased he not e'en so 

From battle and fight, but handling a tough shaft, 

Reared hardy by the wind, he rushed at Coon : 

He, all in haste, by foot was dragging off 

Iphidamas his brother, of same sire ; 

And shouting was he to all his choicest men : 

Him dragging thus the body through the throng 

The king now wounded, under his bossy shield, 

With brass-tipped polished shaft, and loosed his limbs : 

Then drew he near, and smote his head clean off, 

Over Iphidamas : there then the sons 

Of old Antenor filled up full the measure 

Of their sad fate, 'neath king Atreides' arm, 

And plunged below, into the abode of Hades : 

But He, so long as yet his blood gushed warm 

From out his open wound, went on attacking 

The lines of other chieftains yet,— with spear, 

With sword, and with big hand-stones : when howe'er 

The wound became dried up, and staunched the blood,— 

Sharp pains came o'er the spirit of Atreides. 

And as — when on a woman in her travail 

Piercing sharp throes get hold, pangs darted forth 

By the Eilethyise, daughters of great Here, 

Who come to the aid of women in hard travails, 

And tend keen child-birth pains ; so piercing pains 

Came o'er Atreides Agamemnon's spirit. 

Then leaped he upon his chariot, and straight bade 



292 THE ILIAD. XI. 

His charioteer drive off to the hollow ships ; 

275 For weighed down was his heart. Then thrillingly 
Aloud he cried and shouted to the Danaans : 
" friends ! ye Argive chiefs and guardian leaders ! 
■ Now ward Ye off the troublous battle-din 
' From our sea-faring galleys, seeing that Zeus 
' The lord of Counsel has not granted Me 
' To fight against the Trojans all day long." 

§80 He spake : and straight the charioteer flogged on 
The fair-maned horses towards the hollow ships : 
And not unwilling flew they both along ; 
With chests befoamed ; and dredged below with dust y 
Aloof they bare the wounded king from battle., 
Now soon as Hector noted Agamemnon 
Thus going away, he cried aloud and urged 

285 Trojans and Lycians on : " Trojans, and Lycians, 
~ And ye close-fighting Dardans ! Now, my friends, 
' Be men ! and call to mind your furious prowess ! 
' He's gone, their choicest man ; and unto Me 
' Zeus Chronides has given an ample glory : 
* But straight against these mighty Danaan chiefs 

290 ' Drive now your firm-hoofed horses, for the winning 
6 Of glory higher yet." So saying, he urged 
The spirit and heart of all. And as, perchance, 
Against a savage boar, or Against a lion, 
Some huntsman sets his white-toothed hounds ; e'en so 
Hector Priamides, like slaughterous Ares, 

295 Let loose the high-souled Trojans 'gainst the Achaians ; 
And 'mongst the foremost ranks himself did march 
With courage high ; and into fight he plunged, 
Like whirlwind blowing hard, that rushes down 
And stirs the purple deep.— -Then whom, whom first. 



book A. 293 

Whom last, did Hector, son of Priam, slaughter 

300 And spoil, when Chronides vouchsafed him glory ? — 
First then Assaios, and Autonoos, 
Opites too, and Dolops Clytides, 
And Agelaus, Opheltios, and Aisymnos, 
And Orus, and Hipponoos firm in battle : 
All these did Hector slay, chieftains of Danaans, 
And common soldiers many : as when Zephyr 

305 From North West with a mighty hurricane 

Smites rudely and scatters far the clouds of Notos 

Brightening from South West ; and the swollen billow 

Rolls huge ; and scattered is the foam on high 

Under the roaring blast of driving wind ; 

So of the common soldiers many a head 

Was bowed 'neath Hector's arm. Sure then had been 

310 Sad ruin, deeds of mischief past repair, 

And fled and fall'n had the Argives 'niongst their ships, 

Had not Odusseus urged the son of Tydeus 

Prince Diomed : " Tydeides ! what now ails us, 

i That we forget our furious might of arm ? 

' But here my pet ! come stand by me ; for a shame 

' 'T were sure, if Hector of the glancing helm 

315 ' Should haply seize our ships." Then answered him 
And spake bold Diomed : " Yea stand will I 
1 Steadfast and staunch : yet our delight must be 
' But short-lifed, since cloud-gatherer Zeus now wishes 
1 To give the mast'ry to the Trojan side, 
1 Rather than unto us." — He spake, and thrust 
Thymbrseus from his chariot to the ground, 
Smiting him with his lance, near the left pap ; 
And prince Odusseus smote the chieftain's squire, 
Godlike Molion. Them then left they alone, 



294 THE ILIAD. XI. 

Since thus from fight they had stopped them. And on went 

They twain and spread confusion and uproar 

Through all the throng ; — as when two wild boars plunge 

325 With mighty spirit and bold 'mongst hounds of chase,— 
So rushed they back again and slew the Trojans. 
Whereat the Achaians gladly again took breath 
From fleeing before prince Hector. Now together 
They seized two chiefs, the choicest of their land, 
Chariot and all, sons of Percosian Merops, 
Who, beyond all, knew arts of divination, 

330 And so forbade his sons to journey forth 

Unto the slaughterous war : but never a whit 

Heeded they him ; for Fatal goddesses 

Of gloomy Death did lead them. Thus of breath 

And life the spear-famed Diomed Tydeides 

Bereft them both, and stript their splendid harness : 

335 By Odusseus' hand were also slain and spoiled 
Hippodamos and lord Hypeirochos. 
Then forth from Ida Chronides looked down 
And strained the fight betwixt them equally, 
And either side did slaughter and spoil the other* 
Now with his lance the son of Tydeus wounded 
Pseonides the lord Agastrophos 
In his hip-joint : and not at hand his horses 

340 Had he for fleeing ; a great mistake at heart : 
The squire had charge of them aloof ; while He 
On foot was raging mongst the foremost fighters-, 
Till his dear life he lost. Now along the ranks 
Hector took notice sharply, and with shout 
Rushed to attack them ; and his lines of Trojans 
Close followed with him. But at sight of him 

345 Prince Diomed, the doughty in battle, shuddered ; 



book A. 295 

And straight spake thus to Odusseus close at hand : 

" Now hither on Us it rolls,— this Bane, —this Hector 

' With weighty force : but stand we staunch, I pr'ythee, 

1 And bide we steadfast and defend ourselves !" 

He spake, then poised aloft, drew back and launched 

His lengthy spear, and hit ; for straight at the head, 

At helmet's peak, he aimed nor missed his mark ; 

But by the brass the brass was driven away, 

And reached not his fair skin ; for the peaked helmet 

Hindered, with plates threefold, with eyelet-holes ; 

A helmet which Apollo Phoebus gave him. 

Yet swift past measure back again ran Hector, 

And mingled with his throng, where down he dropped 

Upon his knees, and leaned with sturdy hand 

Against the ground ; and dark gloom veiled his eyes. 

But while to gain again his out-launched spear 

Far was Tydeides gone through foremost fighters, 

Where on the ground it lighted down, — prince Hector 

Regained his breath, and up again he darted 

Into his chariot, and away he drave 

In 'mongst his troops, and so 'scaped gloomy Death. 

Yet on rushed sturdy Diomed with spear 

And thus addressed him : " Dog ! now once again 

' 'Scaped hast thou Death I—full nigh at hand forsooth 

' Was mischief come to thee ! — but yet again 

' Now has Apollo Phoebus rescued thee, 

'To whom thou think'st to pray, whene'er thou comest 

' Into the whizz of jav'lins. Yet by and by 

' Thee shall I sure encounter and dispatch, 

( If haply a helper also unto me 

' Is any amongst the gods : meanwhile these others 

' I'll now attack, whome'er I reach." He spake, 



296 THE ILIAD. XI. 

And slew spear-famed Paionides, and spoiled him. 
Now Alexander, fair-tressed Helen's lord, 

370 Leaning against the gravestone (at the tomb, 
Of cunning workmanship, the tomb of Ilus 
Dardanides, old chief of bygone times), 
Was bending him his bow against Tydeides 
The pastor of his people. He meanwhile 
Was busy drawing away the all-gleaming corslet 
Prom off the breast of mighty Agastrophus, 

375 Shield from his shoulders too, and the strong helmet. 
So the archer drew his bow's horn back, and hit, 
For not in vain forsooth escaped the shaft 
From forth his hand, but hit the chiefs right foot 
In the broad flat thereof: and down right through it 
Into the ground the shaft was pinned. Whereat 
Right jollily the bowman laughed, and forth 

380 From out his ambush sprang, and cried thus boasting : 
" Thou'rt shot ! and not in vain my shaft fled forth ! 
' 'Would had I shot thee in the inmost flank, 
1 And taken away thy life !— So too had Trojans 
' Had respite from distress, whereas they now 
' All shudder at thee, as bleating goats at lion." — 
To him then cried strong Diomed not frighted : 

385 " Bowman ! Defiler ! Famous for thy Horns ! # 
' Sly gaper after maidens !— if now indeed 
1 Proof wouldst thou make in harness face to face, 
' Not should thy bow and frequent shafts avail thee ! 
' Yet here, at having scratched my foot on th' flat, 
1 Thus fondly dost thou boast forsooth I I heed not, 
' No more than if a woman, or witless child, 

390 ' Had hit me ; for all pointless is the weapon 

* Meaning, probably, bis Bow, made of a pair of horns. 



book A. 297 

1 Of a weakling worthless man ! Sure otherwise 
1 From Me (howe'er so lightly it haps to graze) 
* Forth goes the weapon sharp, and lays a man 
1 Suddenly lifeless : and his wife's fair cheeks 
1 Are grief-torn both, and orphaned are his children : 
1 x\nd He lies reddening with his blood the ground, 

395 ' And rots ; and round him are more birds, than women ! " 
He spake. Anon drew near and stood before him 
Spear-famed Odusseus, sheltering him ; and down 
Sat He behind and drew the pointed arrow 
From out his foot ; and sharp pain pierced his flesh, 
Then leapt he upon his chariot, and straight bade 
His charioteer to drive to the hollow ships ; 

400 For grieved he was at heart. So now was left 
Spear-famed Odusseus all alone, and with him 
Remained not one of the Argives, for that Fear 
Had seized them all. Whereat with heavy sigh 
Thus to his own courageous heart he spake : 
" Alas ! what now, what shall become of me ? 
r 'T were mighty craven, should I take to flight, 

405 ' Through fear of common troops : but 'twere more horrible, 
% Into the foemen's hands to fall, alone : 
1 And Chronides has routed all our Danaans. 
1 Yet wherefore reasons thus my heart within me i 
' I know, 'tis Cowards hie away from battle : 
' But whoso is a Chieftain brave in fight, 
1 Him it behoves indeed to stand right staunch, 

410 i Whether he smite another, or be smitten/' 

While pondering thus was He in heart and soul, 

On came the lines of shielded Trojan warriors, 

And hemmed him, in their midst ; and so placed mischief 

Amongst themselves : and as when lusty youths 



298 THE ILIAD. XI. 

And hounds in chase rush round about a boar, 

415 And from his lair, deep-wooded, forth he comes 
Whetting his bright tusk 'twixt his crooked jaws : 
But from all sides on rush they ; while the clash 
Grows louder from his tu§ks : yet staunch thereat 
Stand they, how grim soe'er he be;— so now 
About Odusseus, dear to Zeus, were Trojans 
From all sides rushing on : but with sharp spear 

420 Foremost on sprang He to the attack and wounded 
The comely Deiopites high on shoulder : 
Then straightway slew he Ennomos and Thoon : 
And then with lance he stabbed Chersidamas, 
Under his bossy buckler, in his loins, 
Just lighted from his chariot : so in the dust 

425 Fell He, and clutched the ground with scrabbling fist. 
Them he let be ; then wounded with his lance 
Charops Hippasides, own high-born brother 
Of noble Socus : and to his help now came 
The godlike chieftain Socus : and right near 
He approached the foe and stood and thus addressed him 

430 " Odusseus! far-renowned, insatiate ever 
' Of toil and of contrivances ! — This day, 
( Or slaughter shalt thou here two men together 
1 And strip us of our harness, and shalt glory 
' O'er Hippasos' two sons ; —or else shalt Thou 
1 Be smitten by my spear and lose Thy life." 
So saying, he thrust against the fair round buckler : 

435 Through the bright buckler went the weighty spear ; 
And through the breast-plate richly-dight was planted ; 
And from his ribs forced all the skin away : 
Pallas Athene suffered not howe'er 
The lance to reach to the inwards of the man : 



book A. 299 

And prince Odusseus felt, how that the weapon 
Had nowise touched him in a vital place : 

140 Then stepping backward spake he thus to Socus : 

" Ah wretch ! sure now does utter death o'ertake thee ! 
' Me of a surety hast thou stopped from fighting 
1 Against the Trojans : but on Thee, I say, 
1 This Day shall here be Slaughter and gloomy Fate ; 
1 And 'neath my spear shalt thou be bowed, and give 

445 ' Glory to Me, and thy soul to horse-famed Hades." 
He spake ; whereat his foe bad turned short round 
For flight and gone, but that betwixt his shoulders 
Behind his midriff, soon as e'er he had turned, — 
Odusseus thrust his lance, and through to his breast ; 
Whereat he fell a heavy thump : and o'er him 
The prince Odusseus gloried thus : " Socus, 

450 ' Son of the shrewd-souled horseman Hippasos ! 

' The term of Death has found thee out beforehand, 

i Nor hast thou made thy escape. Ah wretch ! now sure 

1 Not shall thy sire and lady mother close 

6 Thine eyes for thee in death ; but ravening birds 

' Shall flap their frequent wings about thee, and pluck 

' At thy raw flesh : — but me the noble Achaians 

455 ' Will bury, when I'm dead, with all due honour." 
So saying, from out his flesh and bossy shield 
He drew forth doughty Socus' weighty spear : . 

At which pulled out, his blood did gush forthwith ; 
And vexed his heart. At seeing Odusseus' blood, 
The high-souled Trojans urged each other on, 

460 And all came at him in a throng : but He 

Again drew back, and called aloud on comrades. 
Thrice then he cried, loud as man's chaps might yawn ; 
And thrice prince Menelaus, dear to Ares, 



300 THE ILIAD. XI. 

Did hear him shout ; whereat he straight spake thus 
To Ajax, close at hand : " Jove-sprung Ajax, 

465 i Thy people's chieftain, son of Telamon ! 

' Staunch-souled Odusseus' cry comes round upon me, 

i Like as if Trojans might have cut him off 

' In sturdy fight, and on him all alone 

1 Were pressing hard : then hie we through the throng, 

' For better 'twere to help him. Much I fear 

470 * Lest aught should happen to him left alone 
' Amongst the Trojans, bold howe'er he be ; 
' And so should great regret arise 'mongst Danaans." 
So saying, he led the way, and with him followed 
That godlike man. Then found they prince Odusseus 
Dear unto Zeus ; and round him were the Trojans 
Crowding, as tawny jackals on the mountains 

475 About a stricken horned stag, some huntsman 
Has hit with shaft from bowstring; on his legs 
He takes to flight and 'scapes him, while the blood 
As yet is warm, and while his knees can stir : 
But when the speedy shaft has mastered him, — 
Eaw-eating jackals in some shadowy glade 
Upon the mountains rend him : and anon 

480 Chance brings a ravenous lion : then indeed 
The jackals flee ; and He devours the prey ; 
So now forsooth were Trojans many and stout 
Crowding around the brave-souled wily Odusseus : 
While He, bold chief, was darting with his lance 
And warding from himself the ruthless day : 

485 Now near at hand came Ajax, bearing shield, 
Like unto a tower, and stood hard by : whereat 
The Trojans hither and thither scud away : 
And doughty Menelaus led Odusseus 



BOOK A. 301 

From out the throng and held him by the hand, 
Until to hand his squire had driven his horses : 
But on the Trojans Ajax rushed, and slew 

490 Doryclos, bastard son of Priam ; and then 
He wounded Pandocus, and Pyrasos ; 
Wounded Lysander too, and lord Pylartes : 
And as when, swoln by winter-storms, a river 
Down from the mountains to the plain comes rushing 
Forced on by thunderstorm from Zeus, and with it 
Hurries along full many a dry oak-tree, 

495 And many a fir, and casts much mud and filth 
Into the sea ; so now did glorious Ajax 
Drive in confusion and pursue the foe, 
And slaughtered man and horse about the plain : 
But not had Hector heard hereof as vet : 
For quite i'th' battle's left wing was he fighting, 
Along Scamander's river-banks ; where chiefly 

500 Were warriors' heads now falling, and uprose 
War-cry unquenchable, round mighty Nestor 
And doughty Idomeneus. Battling with Them 
Was Hector, doing toilsome deeds of prowess, 
Both with his lance and skilful horsemanship : 
And many a line of youngsters he o'ermastered. 
But not from their career had the high-born Argives 

505 Yet shrank, had not the fair-tressed Helen's lord, 
Prince Alexander, with a three-barbed arrow 
Shot lord Machaon, pastor of his people, 
In the right shoulder, and stopped his most brave prowess : 
Whereat the Achaians, breathing battle-rage, 
Were in great fear about him, lest the fight 
Should shift to the other side and They should slay him. 

510 Straight then Idomeneus addressed prince Nestor : 



302 THE ILIAD. XI. 

" Nestor, Neleus' son, great Glory of Argives ! 

' Come on ! mount quick thy chariot ! and beside thee 

4 Let now Machaon stand ; and drive,— all haste, — 

' Thy firm-hoofed horses to the ships : for worth 

' A host of others is a Man of Med'cine, 

* Both for his cutting arrows out, and sprinkling 

515 ' Assuaging drugs on wounds." He spake : and the 
horseman 
Gerenian Nestor was not slack to obey : 
Straight mounted he his chariot ; and beside him 
Upstepped Machaon, son of lord Asclepios 
The blemishless chirurgeon : then he touched 
His horses on, and not unwillingly 
On flew they both towards the hollow ships, 

520 For thitherwards 't was pleasant to their heart. 
Meanwhile Kebriones, who rode with Hector, 
Noticed the Trojans yonder in confusion ; 
Whereat he thus addressed him : " We twain, Hector, 
' Here in the outskirts of the hateful fight 
! Are battling with the Danaans ; but now yonder 
' Our Trojans, horse and man, are in confusion 

525 ' Drivn wild pell-mell ; and Telamonian Ajax 
' Is routing them : and well I know 'tis He 
' By the broad shield he bears upon his shoulders : 
' Let also Us then drive with horse and chariot 
' Straight thither, where both foot and horse are thickest 
' Launching the baneful battle-strife before them, 
' And slaughtering one another, and where rises 

530 ' The battle-cry unquenchable." So saying, 

With whistling whip he lashed the fine-maned horses ; 
And they, at hearing of the stroke, sped swiftly, 
Trampling both shields and corses under foot, 



book A. 303 

And bare the nimble chariot 'twixt the lines 

Of Trojans and Achaians : and with blood 

The axle underneath was all bespattered ; 

So too the rims about the chariot-board ; 

Whereon from off the horse-hoofs clots did fall, 

And from the wheel-tires : but full fain was Hector 

To rush amongst, and plunge into, and break 

The throng of foemen : and upon the Danaans 

He launched confusion sad ; and from the spear 

Little indeed he shrank : but He — attacked 

The lines of all those warriors— both with lance 

And sword, and with great hand-stones ; but he shunned 

The fight with Ajax, son of Telamon. — 

Now father Zeus, enthroned on high, stirred up 

Fear in the heart of Ajax : and he stopped, 

Astonied, and behind him slung his buckler 

Of seven bulls'-hides : then peering wistfully, 

Like a wild beast about the throng, he slowly, 

Scarce changing knee for knee, withdrew, oft-times 

Turning to face the foemen. And as dogs 

And countrymen, on watch all night, drive off 

From inner cattle-yard a tawny lion, 

And suffer not his carrying off the choice 

Of all their beeves ; yet straight he dashes on, 

From love of fleshmeat : but avails he nought : 

For thick against him fly from sturdy hands 

Javelins, and burning faggots, which indeed 

He dreads, how vehement soe'er he were : 

And off he goes at morn with sorrowing spirit ; — 

So now did Ajax, sorrowful at heart 

And sore against his will, withdraw from Trojans ; 

For fearful was he for the Achaians' galleys. 



304 THE ILIAD. XI. 

And as when by a corn-field haply passes 
A sluggish ass, o'er whom has many a cudgel 
Been broken already, and he in spite of boys 
O'erpowers them all, and enters in and crops 
The tall upstanding corn: and with their cudgels 

560 The boys yet beat him ; but of childish sort 
Is all their strength ; and out, with much ado, 
They drive him, when he has got his fill of fodder ; 
In suchlike sort were now the high-souled Trojans 
And their allies, far-summoned, ever pressing 
Upon tall Ajax, son of Telamon, 
And with their polished lances ever dinting 

565 His mighty shield. And ever and anon 
Did Ajax turn him round and call to mind 
His furious strength of arm ; and warded off 
The lines of Trojan horsemen : then again 
At other whiles he turned him for retreat. 
Yet kept he all at bay, and stopped their coming 
Down on the nimble ships : and He, alone, 

570 Staunch in the midst 'twixt Trojans and Achaians, 
Did rush along ; while forth from sturdy hands 
Flew spears, and some did stick in his great buckler ; 
While in the ground but half way in the midst, 
Ere reaching his bright skin, were many planted, 
Longing full fain to glut them with his flesh. — 
Now soon as e'er Evsemon's gallant son, 

575 Eurypylos, perceived him thus hard pressed 
By weapons flying so thick, he went at once 
And stood beside him, and with glittering spear 
He hurled and hit Phausides Apisaon 
The pastor of his people,— in his liver 
Under the midriff; and beneath him loosed 



book A. 305 

His knees forthwith ; then rushed Eurypylos 

And 'gan take off the harness from his shoulders. 

Now soon as godlike Alexander spied him 

Thus plucking Apisaon's harness off, — 

Straight at Eurypylos he drew his Bow, 

And with an arrow shot him, his right thigh : 

Shivered in pieces was the arrow-reed, 

And all the thigh disabled. So again 

Back to his comrades' troop he drew, to escape 

A violent doom : then thrillingly he bawled 

And shouted to the Danaans : " my friends, 

' Leaders and guardian princes of the Achaians ! 

1 Turn, turn ye about and stand your ground, and ward 

1 The ruthless day from Ajax, who is o'erpowered 

' By dint of darts ; nor can he escape, I fear, 

1 From out the hateful light ; yet face ye and stand 

' Staunch round the son of Telamon, tall Ajax." 

So spake the wounded prince Eurypylos : 

Near then beside him came they and stood, and slanted 

Their shields with the upper rims upon their shoulders, 

And held their lances up : and Ajax came 

To meet them ; then he faced about and stood, 

Soon as he reached his comrades' company. 

So battling then were They, — like blazing fire. 

Meanwhile, all sweating were tbe mares of Neleus 

Hieing with Nestor forth from out the fight, 

Taking Machaon, pastor of his people. — 

Anon, the able-footed prince Achilles 

Espied and noted him ; for standing was he 

On his huge galley's poop, and looking forth 

On the utter toil and lamentable rout : 

Then from the ship forthwith he cried, and shouted 

20 



306 THE ILIAD. XI. 

Unto Patroclus his dear friend : and He, 

He heard and from the camp-hut came, in fashion 

Like unto Ares : And on Him came Now 

Of Mischief the Beginning^ — Foremost spake 

605 Menoitios' doughty son : " Achilles ! why, 

' Why dost thou call me, what dost want of Me?" — 

Then answered him and spake foot-swift Achilles : 

" My noble Menoitiades, most dear 

' To me at heart ! methinks the Achaians now 

' Will soon be about my knees entreating me ; 

1 For need arises bearable no longer. 

610 ' But hie thee now, Patroclus, dear to Zeus, — 

* Ask Nestor, Who is this, he 's bringing wounded 
' From out the fight. Now sure he wholly seems 
' Machaon Asclepiades, by his back ; 
' But the man's eyes I saw not ; for the horses 
i Eagerly forward darted past me swiftly." 

615 He spake : whereat Patroclus quick obeyed 
His dear-loved comrade : so he started off 
Running, along by the Argives' huts and galleys. 
When They, meanwhile, had reached Neleides' hut, 
They at once alighted on the bosky earth ; 
And the aged chieftain's squire Eurymedon 
Unyoked the mares and loosed them from the chariot ; 

620 While by the sea-shore went the chiefs and stood 
Towards the breeze, and cooled away the sweat 
From out their clothes ; then went into the hut 
And sat them down on lounge-chairs. Presently, 
The fair-tressed Hecamede dressed them beverage ; 
A woman whom the old chieftain won erewhile 
From Tenedos,— what time Achilles sacked it ; 

* That is, Patroclus undertakes a matter, which ends in his being killed. 



book A. 307 

625 The daughter was she of mighty-souled Arsinoos ; 
And Her the Achaians picked out for the old chief, 
Because in counsel he excelled them all. 
Now first a table set she out before them, 
Fair-polished, beautiful, with dark-blue legs ; 
A brazen basket on it : and also on it, 
An onion, for a relish to their drink : 

630 Fresh honey too she set, and there beside 

Bread of the choicest barley-flour : and goblet, 

Eight fair, bestuck with golden studs, which He — 

The old chief— had brought from home : four ears it had ; 

And upon either side of each were feeding 

Two golden doves ; neath w T hich it had two bottoms.* 

635 To move it oft, when full, from off the table — 
Sure some ado one had : but ancient Nestor, 
He without toil did lift it. Anon herein 
The woman, — fashioned like to goddesses, — 
Mixed them a beverage, with Pramneian wine, 
Wherein to grated she with brazen grater 
Goats'-cheese, and dredged w r hite barley-flour thereover : 

640 And when she had made the medley beverage ready, 

She bade them drink. Whereof now when they had drank, 
And put away the thirst that sorely parched them, — 
Then 'gan they telling tales and made them merry 
With talk together. Anon, the godlike man 
Patroclus stood before the doors : the old chief, 
At sight of him, rose from his brilliant chair, 

645 And took him by the hand and led him in, 

And bade him straight sit down. Whereat Patroclus 
On the other side said Nay, and spake this word : 

* Xo doubt, it was what is elsewhere called a " twin -cupped goblet;" that is, 
having an upward cup and a downward cup, and the two bottoms between. 



308 THE ILIAD. XI. 

" Jove-beloved Sire ! 'tis no time now for sitting, 
' Nor canst persuade me. Awful and Revered 
' Is He, who sent me forth to enquire and learn, 
' Who 's This thou bringest wounded : but I learn 

650 ' E'en of myself ; for 'tis, I see, Machaon, 
' The pastor of his people. Wherefore now, 
' To tell the matter, I '11 hie back again 
1 To Achilles with the news : for well know'st Thou, 
6 Jove-beloved Sire, what manner of one is He, — 
' An awful man : soon might he blame perchance 
6 E'en one blame-less." Then answered him the horseman 

655 Grerenian Nestor : " Wherefore does Achilles 
' Now forsooth pity thus the Achaians' sons, 
6 Howe'er so many now with bolts are smitten ? 
* Nor knows he a whit, what sadness has arisen 
' Throughout the host : for at the ships are lying 
' Our princes, wounded hand to hand, and shot. 
6 Shot is the sturdy Diomed Tydeides : 

660 i Spear-famed Odusseus in close fight is wounded, 
i And Agamemnon also : and in his thigh 
' Shot with an arrow is Eurypylos : 
e And hit by shaft from bowstring, this man also 
- Hither from out the fight have I just brought : 
'But not for Danaans does Achilles care, 
' Bold as he is, nor takes he pity upon them. 

665 ' Pray does he wait until our nimble ships, 

' Here by the sea, be warmed, in spite of Argives, 

i By a consuming fire, and we all slain 

6 One after other ? — for My bodily strength 

' Is not, as erst it was, in limber limbs. 

i that I were as young, # and strength as staunch, 

* Right cunningly does the talkative old chief now detain Patroclus, in spite of 
his eagerness to hie back. 



book A. 309 

As once when strife arose betwixt the Eleians 

And Us, about a carrying off of beeves, 

When I drave off the plundered cattle, and slew 

Hypeirockus' brave son, Itymoneus, 

Who dwelt at Elis : he, among the foremost, 

While fighting for his kine, was hit by a dart 

From forth my hand, and down he fell ; and round him 

The country-folk stood trembling : and we drave 

Together from their land spoil plenty enough ; 

Droves fifty of beeves ; as many flocks of sheep ; 

As many herds of swine ; broad herds of goats, 

As many ; and three times fifty chestnut mares, 

All breeding mares, and many had foals at foot. 

Into Neleian Pylos these forsooth 

We drave us off, and reached the Town by night : 

And glad at heart was Neleus, for my haps, 

So many and good, at my first going to war. 

Then cried our heralds, at the peep of Eos, 

For those to come, to whom a debt was due 

In sacred Elis : whereupon together 

Came all those chieftain princes of the Pylians, 

And shared the spoil : for unto many a one 

The Epeians owed a debt : so badly treated 

Had been we few in Pylos. For indeed 

His mightiness bold Heracles had come 

In by-gone years and sore ill-treated us ; 

And slaughtered were our choicest princes all. 

For twelve we were, blemishless sons of Neleus, 

Of whom I alone was left ; the rest all perished. 

Thus had the haughty brazen-mailed Epeians 

Plotted dire mischief and ill-treated us. 

So from among the spoil the old chieftain took him 



310 THE ILIAD. XI. 



895 



700 



705 



710 



715 



A drove of kine, and a large flock of sheep, 

And chose him out three hundred, with the herdsmen. 

For unto Him was due in sacred Elis 

A great debt, e'en four horses, car and all, 

Prize-winners, that had gone with aim of winning 

Prizes of contest : and they were to have run 

For a prize-tripod : but the chieftains' chief, 

Augeas, there withheld them ; and sent packing 

Their charioteer, sore vexed about his horses. 

Now at all these 'matters, deeds as well as words, 

Wroth was old Neleus ; and he chose him out 

Much of the spoil, past measure ; and the rest 

He gave among his people, for their sharing, 

That none might go without his rightful portion. 

These matters We were ord'ring, and to the gods 

Were offering sacrifice about the Town : 

On the third day howe'er came all the foe, 

All haste, full many at once, and firm-hoofed horses : 

And clad in harness with them came two lads, 

The two Molions, boys as yet they were, 

Not yet much skilled in furious deeds of prowess. 

Now a certain Town there is, called Thryoessa, 

A steep high hill, far off, hj Alpheius* banks, 

Standing on outmost border of sandy Pylos : 

Eound this they encamped them, eager to destroy it. 

But by the time they had passed through all the plain ? 

To Us then with the news, — that we might arm us, — 

By night came swiftly Athene from Olympus : 

And throughout Pylos gathered she the people, 

Not loth, but vehemently all fain to fight r 

Yet me did Neleus not allow to gird me ; 

And hid away my horses ; for he thought 



BOOK A. 311 

4 That I had no manner of skill in deeds of war. 

4 But for all that, amongst our noble horsemen 

1 Distinguished was I, on foot although I was, — 

720 ' Seeing that So Athene led the battle. 
' Now near Arene is a certain river, 
' Called Minyeios, falling into the sea ; 
4 There did we horsemen of the Pylians wait 
'Till sacred Morn, while they, the troops on foot, 
4 Came streaming to us : then, all speed, we armed us, 
' And donned our corslets, and at noon we reached 

725 ' Alpheios* sacred stream. Fat sacrifices 

4 Offered we there to Zeus the high and mighty, 

4 And to Alpheius offered we a bull ; 

4 A bull too to Poseidon ; and a heifer, 

4 Brought in from pasture, to Bright-eyed Athene. 

' Then took we supper, all throughout our host, 

730 4 In companies : and clown we lay and slept 
4 Each in his harness, by the river-stream : 
4 Now round the Town were the haughty-souled Epeians 

* Already set, all eager to destroy it : 

4 But unto them a mighty Work beforehand 
4 Of Ares came to sight : for when the Sun 
' Rose beaming o'er the Earth, to Zeus we prayed, 
735 ' And to Athene, and straight engaged in battle. 
4 Anon, when 'twixt the Pylians and Epeians 
4 The battle was begun, I foremost slew 
' A chief, the spearman Moulios ; and good care 

* Took I of his firm-hoofed horses : Son-in-law 
' Was he to Augeias, and he had to wife 

4 Yellow-haired Agamede, the eldest daughter, 
740 4 Skilled in all simples the broad Earth brings forth. 
4 Him as he came to attack me I then smote 



312 THE ILIAD. XI. 

With brass-tipped spear, and in the dust he fell : 

Into his chariot I sprang up, and took 

My stand therein amongst our foremost fighters. 

Forthwith the mighty-souled Epeians fled 

This way and that in affright, when thus they saw 

*745 ' The leader of their horsemen fall'ii, the chief 
Who was their forwardest and best in fighting. 
But on rushed I, like a dark hurricane, 
And captured fifty chariots ; and from each 
Two men were bowed beneath my spear, and took 
The soil betwixt their teeth. And sure I had slaughtered 
The two Molions also, Actor's children, 

750 ' Had not the broad-realmed Sire, who Shakes the Earth, 
In thick mist hidden and rescued them from fight. 
Thus then a mighty mastery Zeus vouchsafed 
Unto the Pylians' hands : for we pursued 
O'er the wide-stretching plain, and slew the men, 
And gathered up their goodly fighting gear, 
Until we drave our chariots to Buprasium 

755 ' Wealthy in corn, and to the Olenian Rock, 

And to Olesios, where 'tis called " the Hill:" 
Whence back again Athene turned our host. 
Their hindmost man I slaughtered there and left him. 
Straight from Buprasium then the Achaians drave 
Their nimble horses back again to Pylos : 
Whereat all paid their vows to Zeus 'mongst gods, 

760 ' And amongst men— to Nestor. Such I was, 
If e'er I was at all, amongst bold warriors. 
But all alone Achilles thinks to have 
Enjoyment by himself of His own prowess ! 
Yet sure I think he '11 weep enough hereafter, 
When perished utterly has all our host. 



book A. 313 

Sure, ray Pet, thy sire Menoitius laid 

This charge on Thee that day, when forth he sped thee 

From Phthia to Agamemnon : and i'th' house 

Were prince Odusseus and myself, and heard 

Yea all the charge he gave thee in his halls ; 

For unto Peleus' fair abode we came, 

Gathering the host through Achaia's bounteous land. 

There then we found both Thee and lord Menoitius 

Withindoors, and Achilles also with you : 

And in the court-yard was the old horseman Peleus 

Burning down goodly thigh-bones of a bullock 

To thunder-loving Zeus ; and in his hand 

A golden goblet held he of sparkling wine, 

And poured it o'er the blazing sacrifice. 

And busy about the bullock's flesh were You, 

Yea both, when came We twain before the doors. 

Forth sprang Achilles all amazed, and grasped 

Our hands and led us in, and bade sit down, 

And put before us ample entertainment, 

Such as from hosts is custom due to guests. 

Anon, when we had enjoyed both meat and drink 

To heart's content, then I began the matter, 

Exhorting You to follow forth with us. 

Eight willing were you both; and they, both sires, 

Laid many a charge upon you : the old man Peleus 

To his own son Achilles gave in charge, 

To be the bravest ever, and distinguished 

Above all others : and Actorides, 

Thy sire Menoitius, thus to Thee gave charge :— 

' My son, — now Achilles is of higher birth ; — 

1 But Thou in years art older ; yet far better 

' Is He forsooth in strength : but kindly in season 



314 THE ILIAD. XI. 

" Give him a prudent word, and put it to him, 
" And point it out ; and yield will He compliance 
" Unto whateer is good" So charged the old man : 
1 And Thou forgettest : but yet, yea even now, 

790 ' Tell doughty Achilles this, and haply then 
6 He '11 be persuaded : and indeed Who knows, 
' But that thou mayst, by some kind favouring chance, 
' Persuade and move his heart ? for the persuasion 
' Of a true friend is good. But if aforethought 
i Some prophecy he shuns, even some from Zeus, 
4 Notice whereof his lady mother has given him, 

795 ' Yet Let him send forth Thee ; and let all the host 
' Of Myrmidons accompany thee, an haply 
' Some light of joy thou mayst become to Danaans : 
e His goodly fighting gear too Let him give thee 
' For bearing to the battle; haply the Trojans 
' Shall so take Thee for Him, and from the fight 
' Keep themselves off; and the Argives' warrior sons 

800 ' Might so take breath again from their distress ; 
6 For little enough is breathing time in War : 
' And eas'ly might you fresh unwearied ones 
' With war-cry drive the wearied foemen back 
6 Unto the Town, away from huts and ships." 
He spake ; and stirred within Patroclus' breast 
The spirit thereby : off then he started running 

805 Along the ships to iEacides Achilles. 

Now when thus running quickly along he had reached 

The ships of Prince Odusseus, where the Place 

Of justice and assembly was, — where also 

Were built the altars of their gods, — there met him 

Eurypylos, Evaemon's high-born son, 

From out the battle, limping, wounded sore 



book A. 315 

810 By an arrow in his thigh ; and sweat streamed rainlike 
Down from his head and shoulders ; and dark blood 
Was gushing from the pain some wound : steadfast 
Yet was his mind howe'er. Now at sight of him, 
Menoitius' doughty son felt pity at heart, 
And thus lamenting spake these winged words : 

815 " Alas, ye luckless ! ye Danaan captains 
6 And guardian princes ! Was it thus indeed 
1 Ye were to glut swift hounds with your white fat — 
1 In Troy — far from your friends and fatherland ? 
1 But now, my noble lord Eurypylos, 
1 Come tell me this, Can the Argives anywise 
1 Yet longer hold their ground against huge Hector, 

820 ' Or will they perish, bowed beneath his lance ?" 
Whereat Eurypylos in prudent spirit 
Thus answered him : " Is t o further safeguard now, 
1 prince Patroclus, is there for the Achaians ; 
1 But perish must they amongst their dusky ships : 
' For now all They, that were but now our best, 

825 ' Beside their ships are lying, smitten, and shot 
1 Beneath the Trojans' hands ; yet ever still 
1 Does Their strength rise. But Thou, save and take me 
i Unto my dusky ship, and cut this arrow 
1 From out my thigh, and with warm water wash 
' The cloudy blood away ; and sprinkle on it 

830 ' Brave soothing drugs, wherein hast thou, they say, 
' Been taught by lord Achilles, who was taught 
1 By Cheiron, most accomplished of the Centaurs. 
% For as to the chirurgeons, Podaleirios, 
1 And lord Machaon, — one, methinks, is lying 
1 In camp-hut, wounded, e'en himself sore lacking 
1 A blemishless chirurgeon ; and the other 



316 THE ILIAD. XI. 

835 ' Bides yet sharp Ares in the field of Trojans." 
Then answered him Menoitius' doughty son : 
" How may all this be done ? What shall we do, 
* My lord Eurypylos ? I 'ni on my way 
i To the brave-souled Achilles with a message, 
c Charged by Gerenian Nestor, the Argives' warder : 
6 Nathless indeed I '11 not abandon thee, 

840 e Suffering distress." He spake ; and straightway caught 
The pastor of his people 'neath his chest 
And took him to his hut. # At sight of him, 
His squire forthwith spread bullock-hides ; whereon 
Patroclus stretched him out, and with a knife 
Cut forth the keen sharp weapon from his thigh, 
And with warm water washed therefrom away 

845 The cloudy blood ; and laid upon the limb 

A bitter root, bruised 'twixt his hands,— pain-quelling ; 
Whereby his every pang was all allayed; 
Dried was the wound, and the dark blood quite stayed. 
* See xv, 390, 



book M. 317 



ARGUMENT OF THE TWELFTH BOOK. M. 

Patroclus remains with Eurypylos. The Trojans meanwhile advance to the 
Achaians' wall, where the hattle is renewed. The Trojan chiefs, by the 
advice of Polydamas, dismount and fight on foot : they form their forces- 
into five divisions ; and, in spite of an unlucky omen displayed by Zeus, 
they make an assault upon the wall. Sarpedon is the first to make a 
breach in it. Hector at last succeeds in bursting the gates open ; rushes 
in with all his troops, and drives the Achaians even to their ships. 

MU sings the Battle at the Achaians' ramparts. 



Thus in the hut Menoitius' doughty son 

Did heal the wounded prince Eurypylos : 

Fighting meanwhile were the Argives and the Trojans 

Pell-mell together ; and no longer destined 

To remain steadfast was the Danaans' trench, 

And the broad wall above they had built them up 

5 For safeguard of their galleys ; and had led 
The trench along thereby : for to the gods 
Not offered had they illustrious hecatombs, 
That it might keep and screen their nimble ships 
Within, and all their booty r but 'twas builded 
Despite the Deathless gods' high will : and so, 
Steadfast for long while might it nowise be. 

10 So long as Hector lived, and while Achilles 
Cherished his rancour, and king Priam's Town 
Was yet unsacked,— so long indeed remained 



318 THE ILIAD. XII. 

The Achaians' great wall steadfast : but when dead 
Were all the choicest princes of the Trojans, 
And many of Argives (some indeed bowed down, 
And some yet left), and Priam's Town was ravaged 

15 In the tenth year, and Argives gone away 
On board for their dear fatherland again ; — 
'T was then Poseidon and Apollo planned 
The Wall's destruction, and they turned against it 
The force of all the rivers that flow forth 
From heights of Ida to the sea, — even Rhesos, 

20 Heptaporos, and Rhodios, and Oaresos, 
Aisepos too, and Grenicos, and Simois, 
And the divine Scamander ; where had fallen 
Down in the dust full many a bull's-hide shield 
And many a helmet, and a race of warriors, 
Demigods ; all these rivers' mouths at once 
Unto one place were turned by Apollo Phoebus : 

25 And for nine days he made their stream gush forth 
Against the Wall ; and Zeus forthwith did rain 
Unceasingly, whereby he might the sooner 
O'erwhelm the wall in sea. But in this work 
Foremost was He who Shakes the Earth, — Poseidon, 
Trident in hand ; and with his waves away 
He sent the ground-works all, of stocks and stones, 

30 Laid with great toil by the Argives ; and all plain 
He levelled, near the strong-flowing Hellespont : 
Then, having done away the Wall, he covered 
The vasty beach with sand again ; and turned 
The rivers, each one down his course, wherein 
They aforetime rolled their comely-flowing water. 
So forsooth did Poseidon and Apollo 

85 Purpose for deed thereafter : now howe'er 



book M. 319 

Like wild-fire blazed the war-shout and the battle 

About the strong-built wall ; and rang again 

The smitten planks of towers ; for now were the Argives 

O'ermastered by the scourge of Zeus, and kept them 

Cooped up within, beside their hollow ships, 

Through fear of that strong Terror-Master, — Hector : 

For He, e'en as afore, was fighting still, 

Like as a whirlwind. And as when a lion, 

Exulting in his might, or some wild boar, 

'Mongst hounds and huntsmen turns him to and fro, 

And They all range themselves in close array, 

And stand against him, and from forth their hands 

Launch a thick shower of spears : yet never is frighted 

His noble heart, nor put in fear : but Him 

Courage soon kills : and oft he turns about, 

Making attempt upon the huntsmen's lines : 

And whither straight he charges, there forthwith 

The hunters' lines give way;— e'en so whirled Hector, 

And went about his company, and cheered 

His comrades on for crossing o'er the trench : 

Not howe'er would his nimble-footed horses 

Venture on passing ; but on utmost brink 

Stopped short, and whinnied loud ; for the wide moat 

Did scare them back ; and sure to leap thereover 

'T was no-wise near, nor easy of passage through it : 

For all along, on either side, the banks 

Stood beetling, steep ; and from above 't was furnished 

With pointed palisade, which, stout and close, 

The Achaians' sons had planted, for defence 

Against the foemen. Thither might no horse 

Drawing the well-wheeled chariot, readily enter. 

Yet bent thereon, if haply might they achieve it, 



320 THE ILIAD. XII. 

Fain were the foot-men. Then Polydamas 
60 Drew near beside prince Hector, and spake thus : 
" Hector! and all ye captains — both of Trojans 
1 And of Allies ! Eecklessly are we driving 
' Our nimble horses at the trench : but This 
6 Is hard indeed to pass ; for planted in it 
( Stands a sharp palisade, and close thereunto 
' The Achaians' wall : 't is no-wise possible 
65 * For horsemen there to alight, nor to do battle : 
1 For 'tis a narrow space, and where methinks 
'They'll sure be wounded. If high-thundering Zeus 
' Wholly has thoughts of mischief and would waste 
' The foemen quite, and thinks to aid the Trojans, — 
' then for my part, 'Would 'twere So yea at once, 
' That here afar from Argos might the Achaians 
70 ' Perish outright, inglorious ! If howe'er 

' They rally and turn short round, and we be chased 
' Back again from the galleys, and we fall 

* Into this deep-dug trench, — then sure methinks 
' Not e'en shall one to tell the tale return 

' Back again to the Town, should thus the Achaians 
' Have turned to face their foe. But come ! comply we, 
75 ' Yea all, as I would say : here let our squires 
' Keep back the chariots at the trench, and We, 
' On foot heavy-armed, with harness full equipped, 

* Let us all follow Hector close together : 

■ And sure the Achaians cannot stand against us, 
' If ready o'er them hangs the term of ruin ! " 
80 So spake Polydamas : whose wholesome counsel 

Pleased Hector well : and straight with all his harness 
From out his chariot leapt he to the ground. 
Whereat none other Trojan horseman stayed 



book M. 321 

In company on the cars, but down they alighted 

For rushing on, when thus they saw prince Hector. 

Then every chieftain charged his charioteer 
85 To keep his horses there beside the trench 

In orderly array : then stood they apart, 

Drew themselves up in rank, and ranged themselves 

In five divisions with their several chiefs, 

And followed each their captain. With prince Hector 

And blemishless Polydamas first went 

The bravest and the most, and thev most fain 
90 To breach the wall, and fight at the hollow ships : 

With them Kebriones went third eommander ; 

And with his chariots Hector left another, 

Not equal to Kebriones in prowess. 

Then of the second — Paris was chief captain, 

And w T ith him were Alcathous and Agenor. 

Then of the third was Helenos commander 
95 And prince Deiphobus, of godlike form, 

Both sons of Priam ; and third with them lord Asios, 

Asios Hyrtacides, whose tall bay horses 

Had borne him from Arisbe, — from the banks 

Of the divine Selleis. Of the fourth 

The leader was Anchises > gallant son 

iEneas ; and Antenor's two sons with him, 
100 Archilochus and Acamas, well skilled 

In every manner of fight. Then lord Sarpedon 

Led the renowned allies, and unto him 

Chose Glaucos, and the bold Asteropaios : 

For above all did They appear to him 

Far bravest, next himself at least ; but He, 

Yea amongst all, outshone. Now when they had lockec. 
105 Each one to other by their strong- wrought bucklers, 

21 



322 THE ILIAD. XII. 

Full fain they went straight forward for the Danaans, 
And thought no longer now to be withstood, 
But sure should fall upon the dusky ships. 
Then was the counsel of the faultless prince, 
Polydamas, complied with by the Trojans, 
And by the allies far-summoned ; by them all ; 

110 Save that the son of Hyrtacus, lord Asios, 

Leader of men, would not leave there behind him 

His horses and his squire the charioteer ; 

But, witless, thought with squire and all to approach 

The nimble ships ; yet not was he forsooth 

To escape the violent goddesses of Doom, 

And to return again to airy Ilion, 

115 Bejoicing in his chariot and his horses 

Back from the galleys ; for a hateful Doom 

Beforehand overwhelmed him from the spear 

Of prince Idomeneus Deucalides. 

For to the galleys' left he went,— the way 

Whereby the Achaians with their horse and chariots 

Came back from off the plain : therethrough he drave 

120 Horses and chariot ; for the folding doors 

And lengthy bolt he found not closed i' th' gates : 
But men yet kept them open wide, if haply 
Back to the ships they might receive and rescue 
Some of their mates escaping from the fight. 
So thought he straight this way to drive his horses ; 
And with him came his followers, yelling loud : 

125 For they were thinking, witless, that the Achaians 
Would hold their ground no longer, but would fall 
Beside their dusky ships. But in the gates 
They found two men — most brave, the high-souled sons 
Of spear-famed Lapithse ; the one, Leontes, 



book M. 323 

Match unto slaughterous Ares ; and the other, 

130 Peirithoos' son, the sturdy Polupoites. 

Before the lofty gates then stood these twain ; 
Like as it were high-headed oaks, firm fixed 
On mountains by their mighty roots continuous, 
Biding the wind and rain-storm day by day ; 
So did these twain, relying on their hands 

135 And bodily strength, bide firm the coming on 
Of mighty Asios, neither were they scared. 
Towards the strong-built wall now straight were coming 
Lord Asios and his troop, and Iamenos, 
And Acamas Asiades, and Thoon, 
Orestes also with them, and Oinomaos, 

140 Holding on high their rattling bull's-hide shields, 
With mighty war-shout. Hitherto meanwhile, 
They withinside the gates were indeed urging 
The fair-greaved Argives to defend the ships : 
But when they noted now the Trojans rushing 
Straight for the wall, while rose among the Danaans 

145 Dismay and fearful cry, — forth sprang they both 
And fought before the gates, — like two wild boars, 
Such as in mountains bide the coming brunt 
Of men and hounds, then rush they slantwise on, 
And break the wood about them, root and branch, 
Cutting it down, and from below uprises 
The clash of tusks, till haply some one hits 

150 And takes away their life ; so now did clash 
The glittering brass upon the breasts of These, 
Smitten face to face : for passing sturdily 
They fought, relying on their own brave strength, 
And on their folk above : for They indeed 
Did hurl with hand-stones from the strong-built towers, 



324 THE ILIAD. XII. 

155 To guard themselves, their huts, and swift-going ships : 
And as come snow-flakes falling to the ground, 
When stormy wind drives shadowy clouds along, 
And showers -the flakes down thick on bosky earth ; 
E'en so came bolts forth-showering from their hands, 
Yea from Achaians, and from Trojans also : 

160 And harsh on all sides rang again their helmets, 
And bossy shields, battered by huge rough stones. 
Then groaned the son of Hyrtacus, lord Asios, 
" Oh Me," and smacked himself on both his thighs, 
And thus in wrath outspake : " Now fond of lying 
i Sure, father Zeus, even Thou too hast become, 

165 ' Yea utterly ! — for I, for my part, thought 

6 The Achaian chieftains could not hold their ground 

* Against Our might and unmatched hands ! Yet They, 

' Like limber-waisted wasps, or honey-bees, 

' That build their nests hard by some rocky path, 

' And will not quite forsake their hollow dwelling, 

' But bide the attack of huntsmen come a-robbing, 

170 ' And fight for their young broQd ;— so from the gates 

6 These Will not budge them back, although twain only,. 

' Until they slaughter, or be slain." He spake, 

But gained not by such talk the heart of Zeus ; 

For rather was Mis will to hold out glory 

For Hector's reach. Meanwhile at other gates, 

175 Others were fighting. But for me 'tis hard 
To tell these matters all, — as were I a god : 
For everywhere about the wall now raged 
A marv'lous fire, — flinty ! And for their galleys 
Perforce were the Argives fighting, grieved howe'er : 
Grieved also at heart were all the gods, all those, 

130 Who sided with the Danaans in the battle. — 



book M. 325 

So thus the Lapithse began the strife 

And slaughterous fight. Then sturdy Polupoites, 

Peirithoos' son, with spear smote Damasus, 

Eight through his brass-cheeked helmet : for indeed 

The brazen helmet parried not the stroke ; 

185 But through and through the brazen spear-point shattered 
The bone, and all his brain was mashed within it : 
Thus Him, so fain for onset, laid he low ; 
Then straight he slaughtered Ormenos and Pylon. 
Meanwhile Leonteus, a bold scion of Ares, 
Hit near the belt and smote Hippomachus, 
The son of lord Antimachus, with spear. 

190 Then sharp-edged sword he drew from forth the scabbard, 
Rushed through the throng, and hand to hand smote first 
Antiphates ; whereat laid back was He, 
And tumbled on the ground : then straight he brought, 
One after other, low on bosky earth 
These all, Orestes, Iamenos, and Menon. 

1 95 So slaughtering these were they, and stripping off 
Their gleaming harness ; but meanwhile elsewhere 
Following prince Hector and Polydamas 
Were youths, the most and bravest, and who most 
Were fain to breach the wall, and fire the ships : 
Yet pondered they, and stopped beside the trench ; 

200 For now, towards them hasting for the passage, 
There came a high-flying eagle, shutting out 
The host towards their left ; and in his talons 
He held a living dragon, blood-red, monstrous, 
Still struggling ; nor was battle yet forgotten ; 
For curving back he smote his holders breast 

205 Beside the neck ; whereat through painsome anguish 
From out his claws he let him fall to earth, 



326 THE ILIAD. XII. 

And cast hiin down in midst of all the throng ; 
Then screaming flew away with blasts of wind. 
Straightway the Trojans shuddered, when they saw 
The wriggling snake, lying in midst among them, 
Strange omen sent from iEgis-bearing Zeus. 

§10 Then to bold Hector went Polydamas, 

And thus addressed him : " Hector! in the assemblies 

' For ever dost thou rate me for my counsels, 

' Though good they be : and sure 'tis no-wise seemly 

' For one that is a commoner to speak, 

* Out of all question, neither in the council, 

' Nor ever in the battle, but to advance 

215 ' Always Thy power. Yet now 111 speak plain out, 
' As unto me seems best. Let us Not go 
' To battle with the Danaans for their ships : 
k For thus 't shall come to pass methinks ; if truly 
' Unto us Trojans, in our haste for crossing, 
£ This bird came fateful,— this high-soaring eagle 
' (Shutting the host all out towards the left), 

220 ' The monstrous blood-red dragon in his talons, 

' Alive ; yet soon he dropped his prey, ere reaching 

' His nest again, nor has he achieved his end 

i Of carrying home and giving it to his young : 

' So We, if e'en by dint of strength we breach 

' The Achaians' wall and gates, and though the Achaians 

1 Should yield their ground, — yet from the ships again 

225 ' These ways not handsomely shall we come back ; 
' For many a Trojan shall w T e leave behind, 
i Whom Argives, fighting to defend their galleys, 
'Will slay with brazen weapon. Thus expound 
6 Would any seer, such as had skill of surety 
i In fateful signs, and folk would all obey him." 



BOOK M. 



3^7 



230 



235 



240 



245 



250 



Whereat then Hector of the glancing helm, 
Eyeing him grimly, spake : " Polydamas, 
Not pleasant matters now forsooth to me 
Art Thou thus holding forth : thou knowest well 
To devise counsel better far than this. 
But if now truly in earnest thus thou speakest, 
Then sure the gods themselves have utterly 
Destroyed thy wits ; for here thou 'rt bidding me 
Forget the purposes of Zeus the Thunderer, 
Which He Himself has promised me and granted. 
And thou forsooth dost bid me put my trust 
In long-winged birds ! I mind them never a whit, 
Nor care I, whether to the right they go, 
Eastward, towards the morning sun, or whether 
Towards the left go They, to the dark West. 
Let Us obey the will of mighty Zeus, 
For king is he o'er all, % both deathless gods, 
And death-doomed men. One omen is the Best, — 
To fight for fatherland. Why fearest Thou 
The battle and the war-strife ? For indeed. 
Should all the rest of us outright be slain 
About the Achaians' galleys,— yet no fear 
Hast Thou of perishing ; for against the foe 
No heart hast Thou to battle and bide the brunt. 
But from the fight if Thou shalt keep thee aloof, 
Or wheedle any other man and turn him 
Back from the battle, straightway by my spear 
Shalt thou be stricken and lose thy life at once." 
So saying he led the way ; and they all followed, 
With marvellous shout : and thunder-loving Zeus 
From heights of Ida straight thereat called forth 
A whirlwind, bringing dust to bear right on 



328 



THE ILIAD. XII. 



Against the ships ; and thus did he spell-bind 
The heart of all the Achaians, but vouchsafed 

255 Glory to be with Hector and the Trojans : 

So trusting now His omens, and their strength, 
They tried to breach the Achaians' mighty wall. 
The breastworks of the towers they strove to o'erthrow, 
And to tear down the battlements, and up 
With crows to heave the jutting buttresses, 

260 Which foremost in the ground had the Argives planted 
For bearers of the towers. These now they plucked, 
And hoped to make a breach in the Argives' wall. 
But not yet did the Danaans yield them way ; 
But with their bull's-hide bucklers they did fence 
Their battlements, and launched their bolts therefrom 
Down on the foemen as they attacked the wall. 

265 Then either Ajax, — both the one and other, 
Hied everywhere about from tower to tower, 
Urging and cheering on the Achaians' rage ; 
With courteous words to one, with words of hardness 
Another did they rate, whome'er they saw 
Wholly slack-handed to the fight : " friends ! 
' Of Argives whether best, or worse, or middling ! 

270 ' For not all good alike are men in battle ; 

' Here now is work for all : and This ye know, 
' E'en of yourselves, I ween : Let none give ear 
' Unto the threatening foe and turn about 
i Back to the ships ; but onward hie ye and urge 
' Each other on, if haply Olympian Zeus, 

275 'The Lightning-hurl er, grant us to drive back 

' The fight, and chase the foemen to their Town." 

So shouted out they twain before the Achaians, 

And urged them to the fight. And from them flew, — 



book M. 329 

A8 in a winter's day fall snow-flakes thick, 
When Zeus the lord of counsel has arisen 

280 To snow upon mankind, and brings to light 

These shafts of his, and when he has lulled the winds, 

Fast snows he on and on, until he covers 

The tops of headlands, and high mountain-crests, 

And lotos-plains, and husbandmen's fat fields ; 

And upon creeks and shores o' th' surfy sea 

They're also show r ered; but there the approaching wave 

285 Holds them in check ; yet covered o'er a-top 
Is everything elsewhere, what time from Zeus 
Down falls the snow-storm heavy ; — So now stones 
From Them on both sides fast and thick were flying ; 
These at the Trojans : at the Achaians those 
From pelted Trojans ; and a heavy din 
O'er the whole wall uprose. But not even then 

290 Had glorious Hector and the Trojans burst 

Through the wall's gates, and the great bar thereof, 
If Zeus the lord of counsel had not urged 
His doughty son Sarpedon 'gainst the Achaians, 
Like as a lion attacking twist-horned beeves. 
Before him then he bare his comely shield, 
Round all and even, of copper, beaten out : 

295 That shield the copper-smith had hammered out, 

And stitched thick bulls'-hides in, with golden stitches 
Carried all round throughout : this he now held 
Before himself, and brandishing two spears 
His way he went ; like as a mountain-lion, 
Long lacking fleshmeat, when his gallant heart 

300 Urges him forth to make attempt on flocks, 

E'en at their homestead fold ; for though perchance 
He finds beside them shepherds keeping watch 



330 THE ILIAD. XII. 

Over the flocks, with pike- staves and with dogs, — 
Yet bent is he on not being chased away 
Without attempt upon the folds ; but in 

305 He leaps, and either carries off his prey, 
Or else, by javelin forth from nimble hand, 
Smitten at once is he himself; So now, 
Godlike Sarpedon by his heart was urged 
To make assault upon the wall, and break 
Eight through the battlements. Anon he addressed 
Glaucos, the son of lord Hippolochus : 

310 " Now wherefore, Glaucos, are We twain forsooth 
i Honoured the highest in the land of Lycia, 
' With seat, with fleshmeat messes, and full goblets ? 
' And why look all on us, as were we gods ? 
' And by the banks of Xanthus have we and hold 
' An ample portion, goodly, allotted us, 
' A vineyard plot, and cornland bearing wheat ? 

3 IS ' Now therefore, being among the foremost Lycians 
i Us it behoves to stand the brunt, and take 
1 Share of the raging fight : that on this wise 
1 May be the talk of all stout-harnessed Lycians : 
" Sure indeed Our chief lords in Lycian land 
" Do not bear rule inglorious, and devour 

320 " Fat flocks, and honey-sweet choice wine ; but strength, 
" Yea gallant strength have they, since thus they flight 
" Among thefloremost Lycians /" my pippin, 
' If indeed safe through this war might we come, 
4 And were to be from both Old Age and Death 
' For ever free, sure neither fight would I 
' Among the foremost, neither would I equip 

325 ' Thee for the man-ennobling fight : but Now,— 
6 Since Destinies of Death are close at hand 



book M. 331 

1 Yea countless, which may no man 'scape nor shun, — 
' Let 's onward ! Either unto some one's reach 
1 We '11 hold out glory, or some one shall to Us !" 
He spake : and not away did Glaucos turn, 
Nor was he slack to obey. So went they twain, 

330 Straight on, and led the mighty host of Lycians. 
Then shuddered lord Menestheus, Peteos' son, 
At sight of them : for coming were they now 
Bearers of mischief to the tower He kept. 
Then peered he about along the Achaians' tower, 
If haply could he spy some chieftain there, 
Who might ward off this Mischief from his comrades : 

335 Anon he noted either Ajax standing, — 

Of battle insatiate both, — and by them Teucer, 
Just from his hut : but no-wise possible 
Was 't for Menestheus to be heard a-shouting 
Amid so great a din ; for unto heaven 
Up-reached the clatter both of horse-haired helmets 
And bucklers battered, and of gates ; for shut 

340 Were all the gates ; and at them stood the foe 
Striving to burst them by main force and enter. 
Forthwith to Ajax then he sent his herald 
Thootes : " Haste, noble Thootes, go, 
' Call Ajax hither ; or rather, both of them : 
' This were far best of all ; since whelming ruin 

345 ' Will here be soon contrived; for hitherward 

' The Lycians' leaders drive with all their w eight, 

' Who of old are wont to be surpassing veh'ment 

' In sturdy battles : and if also there 

' A toil and fight has ris'n for Them, — yet so, 

* Let Ajax the strong son of Telamon 

' Come, though alone : and with him Let come also 



332 



THE ILIAD. XII. 



350 ' Teucer well-skilled in bows." He spake ; and the herald 
Gave ear and was not slack to obey ; but started 
Running along the brass-mailed Argives' wall : 
He came and stood by Ajax, one and the other, 
And spake to them forthwith : " either Ajax, 
1 Captains of brass-mailed Argives, Haste ye yonder ; 

355 ' Prince Peteos' son entreats you ; to partake" 
' His toil, if only for a little while : 
' Both of you would he rather : for indeed 

* This were far best of all ; since whelming rnin 

* Will soon be there contrived ; for thitherward 

4 The Lycians' leaders drive with all their weight, 
' Who of old are wont to be surpassing veh'ment 

360 ' In sturdy battles ; but if also here 

4 Fight has arisen and combat, yet e'en so, 

4 Let Ajax the strong son of Tel am on 

' Come, though alone ; and Let come with him also 

' Teucer, well-skilled in bowmanship." He spake : 

Whereat huge Ajax, son of Telamon, 

Was nothing loth to obey. Forthwith he addressed 

365 Ajax, Oileus' son, in winged words : 

" Ajax I you twain, Thou and bold Lycomedes, 
' Stop here and urge ye on the Danaan troops 
' To do stout battle : 1 11 meantime go yonder, 
' And there partake the fight : and back again 
' I '11 soon return, when them I Ve well defended." 

370 So saying, away went Telamonian Ajax ; 

And with him also went his brother Teucer, 

Of the same sire : went with them too Pandion, 

Carrying Teucer's crooked bow and arrows. 

Soon as they reached high-souled Menestheus' tower, 

They passed within the wall thereof, and reached 



book M. 833 

The men bard pressed ; for now were those bold captains 

875 And princes of the Lycians mounting up, 
Like a dark hurricane, to the battlements : 
Then face to face they met in fight together, 
And battle-shout arose. And foremost Ajax, 
The son of Telamon, smote down a man, 
Sarpedon's comrade, high-souled Epicleus ; 
He slew him with a rugged quarry-stone, 

380 Bulky, that lay topmost within the wall 
Beside the parapet : not easily 
With both his hands forsooth might e'er a man, 
Not e'en in proudest bloom and prime of life, 
Such as mankind are now-a-days, have raised it r 
But lifted He and hurled it from on high ; 
Whereat it crushed the four-plumed helm, and mashed 

385 The skull-bones all at once : so down pitched He, 
Like to a diver, from the lofty tower, 
And life forsook his bones. Meanwhile with arrow 
Prom the high rampart Teucer shot lord Glaucos 
Hippolochus' bold son, as on he rushed ; 
Shot him just where he spied his arm uncovered ; 
And stopped him from the fight. So back again, 

390 Escaping notice, leapt he from the wall ; 
Lest on him wounded any Achaian man 
Should gaze, and brag with glorying words thereat > 
Distress forthwith, at Glaucos going away, 
Came on Sarpedon, soon as was he aware : 
Nathless of battle not was he forgetful ; 
But with his lance he aimed and pierced Alcmaon 

395 Thestorides ; then drew his weapon out. 

Following the lance, dow^n headlong fell the chiefs 
And all about him rang again his harness 



334 THE ILIAD. XII. 

Inwrought with brass. Anon with sturdy hands 
Sarpedon clutched and 'gan to drag away 
The parapet ; whereat the whole thereof 
Followed outright : the wall above was stript ; 

400 And way he oped for many. Him howe'er 
Teucer and Ajax both at once attacked ; 
One with an arrow hit the shining strap 
Of the ample shield that covered the whole man, — 
The strap about his chest ; but Zeus kept off 
The fatal goddesses from His own child ; 
Nor would at ships' poops he should be o'ermastered. 

405 But, springing at him, Ajax pricked his buckler, 

And through it went his lance right clean, and rudely 

Checked him in hot career : so back he drew 

A little from the parapet ; yet He 

Not quite withdrew himself; for still his heart 

Was hoping to win glory. Then about 

He turned himself and urged his godlike Lycians : 

410 " Lycians ! why cease ye thus from furious prowess ? 
1 J Tis hard for me alone, how strong soe'er, 
1 To make a breach and open way to the ships : 
' But follow ye on together ! for i' faith 
( More hands make braver work !" He spake : whereat, 
Fearing somewhat their chieftain's round rebuke, 
Onwards they pressed all vehement more and more, 

415 Circling their counsellor-lord. On the other side, 
Within the wall the Achaians also strengthened 
Their lines, for great appeared the work before them. 
For neither were the mighty Lycians able 
Through breaches in the Danaans' wall to force 
A passage to the ships ; nor ever able 
Were Danaan spearmen back again to thrust 



book M. 335 

420 The Lycians from the wall, when once they had reached it. 
But as two landlords, measures in their hands, 
For boundaries in a commonable field 
Stand wrangling ; and within a narrow compass 
For equal share they squabble ; so forsooth 
Here did the battlements keep These asunder ; 
And o'er them, each at other, did they slash 

425 The brave round bull's-hide bucklers on their breasts, 
And the light shaggy shields. And many a one 
Wa3 wounded in his flesh by ruthless weapon ; 
Sure whoso turned him in the fight and left 
His back uncovered for the foe ; and many 
Right through the shield and all. Now everywhere, 
On either side from Trojans and Achaians, 

430 All spattered were the towers and battlements 
With blood of warriors. Yet withal, not able 
Were they to turn the Achaian troops to flight : 
But on they held ; and as a needy spinster, 
A truthful woman, with her wool and weight 
Draws up and balances at either end 
Her pair of scales, whereby to take her wage, 

435 Some slender pittance for her babes ; even so, 
Now betwixt These was balanced equally 
The fray and skirmish : till at least when Zeus 
Gave greater glory to Priamides, 
Prince Hector ; for the foremost in leaped He 
Within the Achaians' wall : now thrillingly 
Aloud he cried and shouted to his Trojans : 

440 " Now On ! ye Trojan horsemen ! On ! and breach 
i The Achaians' wall, and in amongst their ships 
' Throw furious fire ! " So spake he and urged them on : 
And they all heard with all their ears, and dashed 



336 THE ILIAD. XII. 

Straight at the wall together: they then mounted, 
Sharp spears in hand, upon the battlements. 

445 Hector now snatched and brought a stone, which stood 
Next 'fore the gates ; 'twas thick, but sharp a-top : 
Which scarce two men, the choicest of the land, 
Such as mankind are now-a-days, could hoist 
Into a waggon from the ground : but He, 
With ease although alone, did brandish it : 

450 For light in weight the son of wily Chronos 

Had made it him. And as with ease a shepherd 

Takes in one hand and carries a ram's fleece ; 

And lightly upon him does the burden press ; 

So now did Hector lift and bear the stone 

Straight to the door-planks, which kept close the gates, 

The double-folding gates, fast shut, and lofty : 

455 Two answering bolts on the inside held all fast, 
Wherein was fitted one cross-bar. Full near 
He went and stood, and set himself right firm, 
Legs well asunder, lest his bolt were feeble, — 
And smote the doors in midst ; and burst away 
Both hinges : by its weight the stone fell inwards ; 
And harsh the gates did grate again ; the bolts 

460 Held fast no longer, and the planks w T ere parted, 
By the stone's force, this way and that asunder : 
Then in forthwith leapt He, the glorious Hector, 
In countenance like unto awful Night ; 
And grim he shone in terrible brass, wherewith 
All harnessed was he about him : in his hands 
Two spears he held : sure none who chanced to meet him, 

465 Save 't were some god, had checked him when he sprang 
In at the gates : and both his eyes flashed fire. 
Then turned he about to his company, and cheered 



book M. 321 

In company on the cars, but down they alighted 

For rushing' on, when thus they saw prince Hector. 

Then every chieftain charged his charioteer 
85 To keep his horses there beside the trench 

In orderly array : then stood they apart, 

Drew themselves up in rank, and ranged themselves 

In five divisions with their several chiefs, 

And followed each their captain. With prince Hector 

And blemishless Polydamas first went 

The bravest and the most, and they most fain 
90 To breach the wall, and fight at the hollow ships : 

With them Kebriones went third commander : 

And with his chariots Hector left another, 

Not equal to Kebriones in prowess. 

Then of the second — Paris was chief captain, 

And with him were Alcathous and Agenor. 

Then of the third was Helenos commander 
95 And prince Deiphobus, of godlike form, 

Both sons of Priam ; and third with them lord Asios, 

Asios Hyrtacides, whose tall bay horses 

Had borne him from Arisbe, — from the banks 

Of the divine Selleis. Of the fourth 

The leader was Anchises' gallant son 

iEneas ; and Antenor's two sons with him, 
100 Archilochus and Acamas, well skilled 

In every manner of fight. Then lord Sarpedon 

Led the renowned allies, and unto him 

Chose Glaucos, and the bold Asteropaios : 

For above all did They appear to him 

Far bravest, next himself at least ; but He, 

Yea amongst all, outshone. Now when they had locked 
105 Each one to other by their strong-wrought bucklers, 

21 



322 THE ILIAD. XII. 

Full fain they went straight forward for the Danaans, 
And thought no longer now to be withstood, 
But sure should fall upon the dusky ships. 
Then was the counsel of the faultless prince, 
Polydamas, complied with by the Trojans, 
And by the allies far-summoned ; by them all ; 

110 Save that the son of Hyrtacus, lord Asios, 

Leader of men, would not leave there behind him 

His horses and his squire the charioteer ; 

But, witless, thought with squire and all to approach 

The nimble ships ; yet not was he forsooth 

To escape the violent goddesses of Doom, 

And to return again to airy Ilion, 

115 Rejoicing in his chariot and his horses 

Back from the galleys ; for a hateful Doom 

Beforehand overwhelmed him from the spear 

Of prince Idomeneus Deucalides. 

For to the galleys' left he went,— the way 

Whereby the Achaians with their horse and chariots 

Came back from off the plain : therethrough he drave 

120 Horses and chariot ; for the folding doors 

And lengthy bolt he found not closed i' th' gates : 
But men yet kept them open wide, if haply 
Back to the ships they might receive and rescue 
Some of their mates escaping from the fight. 
So thought he straight this way to drive his horses ; 
And with him came his followers, yelling loud : 

125 For they were thinking, witless, that the Achaians 
Would hold their ground no longer, but would fall 
Beside their dusky ships. But in the gates 
They found two men — most brave, the high-souled sons 
Of spear-famed Lapithae ; the one, Leontes, 



book M. 323 

Match unto slaughterous Ares ; and the other, 

130 Peirithoos' son, the sturdy Polupoites. 

Before the lofty gates then stood these twain ; 
Like as it were high-headed oaks, firm fixed 
On mountains by their mighty roots continuous, 
Biding the wind and rain-storm day by day ; 
So did these twain, relying on their hands 

135 And bodily strength, bide firm the coming on 
Of mighty Agios, neither were they scared. 
Towards the strong-built wall now straight were coming 
Lord Asios and his troop, and Iamenos, 
And Acamas Asiades, and Thoon, 
Orestes also with them, and Oinomaos, 

140 Holding on high their rattling bull's-hide shields, 
With mighty war-shout. Hitherto meanwhile, 
They withinside the gates were indeed urging 
The fair-greaved Argives to defend the ships : 
But when they noted now the Trojans rushing 
Straight for the wall, while rose among the Danaans 

145 Dismay and fearful cry, — forth sprang they both 
And fought before the gates, — like two wild boars, 
Such as in mountains bide the coming brunt 
Of men and hounds, then rush they slantwise on, 
And break the wood about them, root and branch, 
Cutting it down, and from below uprises 
The clash of tusks, till haply some one hits 

150 And takes away their life ; so now did clash 
The glittering brass upon the breasts of These, 
Smitten face to face : for passing sturdily 
They fought, relying on their own brave strength, 
And on their folk above : for They indeed 
Did hurl with hand-stones from the strong-built towers, 



324 THE ILIAD. XII. 

loo To guard themselves, their huts, and swift-going ships : 
And as come snow-flakes falling to the ground, 
When stormy wind drives shadowy clouds along, 
And showers the flakes down thick on bosky earth ; 
E'en so came bolts forth-showering from their hands, 
Yea from Achaians, and from Trojans also : 

160 And harsh on all sides rang again their helmets, 
And bossy shields, battered by huge rough stones. 
Then groaned the son of Hyrtacus, lord Asios, 
" Oh Me," and smacked himself on both his thighs. 
And thus in wrath outspake : " Now fond of lying 
1 Sure, father Zeus, even Thou too hast become, 

165 ' Yea utterly ! — for I, for my part, thought 

' The Achaian chieftains could not hold their ground 

6 Against Our might and unmatched hands ! Yet They, 

' Like limber-waisted wasps, or honey-bees, 

i That build their nests hard by some rocky path, 

' And will not quite forsake their hollow dwelling, 

1 But bide the attack of huntsmen come a-robbing, 

170 ' And fight for their young brood ;— so from the gates 

i These Will not budge them back, although twain only, 

6 Until they slaughter, or be slain." He spake, 

But gained not by such talk the heart of Zeus ; 

For rather was His will to hold out glory 

For Hector's reach. Meanwhile at other gates, 

175 Others were fighting. But for me 'tis hard 
To tell these matters all, — as were I a god : 
For everywhere about the wall now raged 
A marv'lous fire, — flinty ! And for their galleys 
Perforce were the Argives fighting, grieved howe'er ; 
Grieved also at heart were all the gods, all those, 

180 Who sided with the Danaans in the battle.— 



book M. 325 

So thus the Lapithse began the strife 

And slaughterous fight. Then sturdy Polupoites, 

Peirithoos' son, with spear smote Damasus, 

Eight through his brass-cheeked helmet : for indeed 

The brazen helmet parried not the stroke ; 

185 But through and through the brazen spear-point shattered 
The bone, and all his brain was mashed within it : 
Thus Him, so fain for onset, laid he low ; 
Then straight he slaughtered Ormenos and Pylon. 
Meanwhile Leonteus, a bold scion of Ares, 
Hit near the belt and smote Hippomachus, 
The son of lord Antimachus, with spear. 

190 Then sharp-edged sword he drew from forth the scabbard, 
Rushed through the throng, and hand to hand smote first 
Antiphates ; whereat laid back was He, 
And tumbled on the ground : then straight he brought, 
One after other, low on bosky earth 
These all, Orestes, Iamenos, and Menon. 

195 So slaughtering these were they, and stripping off 
Their gleaming harness ; but meanwhile elsewhere 
Following prince Hector and Polydamas 
Were youths, the most and bravest, and who most 
Were fain to breach the wall, and fire the ships : 
Yet pondered they, and stopped beside the trench ; 

200 For now, towards them hasting for the passage, 
There came a high-flying eagle, shutting out 
The host towards their left ; and in his talons 
He held a living dragon, blood-red, monstrous, 
Still struggling ; nor was battle yet forgotten ; 
For curving back he smote his holders breast 

205 Beside the neck ; whereat through painsome anguish 
From out his claws he let him fall to earth, 



326 THE ILIAD. XII. 

And cast him down in midst of all the throng ; 
Then screaming flew away with blasts of wind. 
Straightway the Trojans shuddered, when they saw 
The wriggling snake, lying in midst among them, 
Strange omen sent from iEgis-bearing Zeus. 
210 Then to bold Hector went Polydamas, 

And thus addressed him : " Hector! in the assemblies 
6 For ever dost thou rate me for my counsels, 

* Though good they be : and sure 'tis no-wise seemly 
' For one that is a commoner to speak, 

' Out of all question, neither in the council, 

* Nor ever in the battle, but to advance 

215 ' Always Thy power. Yet now 111 speak plain out, 
' As unto me seems best. Let us Not go 
6 To battle with the Danaans for their ships : 
' For thus 't shall come to pass methinks ; if truly 
i Unto us Trojans, in our haste for crossing, 
' This bird came fateful, — this high-soaring eagle 

* (Shutting the host all out towards the left), 
220 ' The monstrous blood-red dragon in his talons, 

' Alive ; yet soon he dropped his prey, ere reaching 
' His nest again, nor has he achieved his end 
' Of carrying home and giving it to his young : 
' So We, if e'en by dint of strength we breach 

* The Achaians' wall and gates, and though the Achaians 
' Should yield their ground, — yet from the ships again 

225 ' These ways not handsomely shall we come back ; 
6 For many a Trojan shall we leave behind, 
' Whom Argives, fighting to defend their galleys, 
'Will slay with brazen weapon. Thus expound 
4 Would any seer, such as had skill of surety 
\ In fateful signs, and folk would all obey him." 



book M. 327 

Whereat then Hector of the glancing helm, 
Eyeing him grimly, spake : " Polydamas, 
Not pleasant matters now forsooth to me 
Art Thou thus holding forth : thou knowest well 
To devise counsel better far than this. 
But if now truly in earnest thus thou speakest, 
Then sure the gods themselves have utterly 
Destroyed thy wits ; for here thou 'rt bidding me 
Forget the purposes of Zeus the Thunderer, 
Which He Himself has promised me and granted. 
And thou forsooth dost bid me put my trust 
In long-winged birds ! I mind them never a whit, 
Nor care I, whether to the right they go, 
Eastward, towards the morning sun, or whether 
Towards the left go They, to the dark West. 
Let Us obey the will of mighty Zeus, 
For king is he o'er all, both deathless gods, 
And death-doomed men. One omen is the Best, — 
To fight for fatherland. Why fearest Thou 
The battle and the war-strife ? For indeed, 
Should all the rest of us outright be slain 
About the Achaians' galleys,— yet no fear 
Hast Thou of perishing ; for against the foe 
No heart hast Thou to battle and bide the brunt. 
But from the fight if Thou shalt keep thee aloof, 
Or wheedle any other man and turn him 
Back from the battle, straightway by my spear 
Shalt thou be stricken and lose thy life at once." 
So saying he led the way ; and they all followed, 
With marvellous shout : and thunder-loving Zeus 
From heights of Ida straight thereat called forth 
A whirlwind, bringing dust to bear- right on 



328 THE ILIAD. XII. 

Against the ships ; and thus did he spell-bind 
The heart of all the Achaians, but vouchsafed 

255 Glory to be with Hector and the Trojans : 

So trusting now His omens, and their strength, 
They tried to breach the Achaians' mighty wall. 
The breastworks of the towers they strove to o'erthrow, 
And to tear down the battlements, and up 
"With crows to heave the jutting buttresses, 

260 Which foremost in the ground had the Argives planted 
For bearers of the towers. These now they plucked, 
And hoped to make a breach in the Argives' wall. 
But not yet did the Danaans yield them way ; 
But with their bull's-hide bucklers they did fence 
Their battlements, and launched their bolts therefrom 
Down on the foemen as they attacked the wall. 

265 Then either Ajax,— both the one and other, 
Hied everywhere about from tower to tower, 
Urging and cheering on the Achaians' rage ; 
With courteous words to one, with words of hardness 
Another did they rate, whome'er they saw 
Wholly slack-handed to the fight : " friends ! 
' Of Argives whether best, or worse, or middling ! 

270 ' For not all good alike are men in battle ; 

' Here now is work for all : and This ye know, 
' E'en of yourselves, I ween : Let none give ear 
' Unto the threatening foe and turn about 
6 Back to the ships ; but onward hie ye and urge 
* Each other on, if haply Olympian Zeus, 

275 ' The Lightning-hurler, grant us to drive back 

'The fight, and chase the foemen to their Town." 

So shouted out they twain before the Achaians, 

And urged them to the fight. And from them flew, — 



book M. 329 

As in a winter's day fall snow-flakes thick, 
When Zeus the lord of counsel has arisen 

280 To snow upon mankind, and brings to light 

These shafts of his, and when he has lulled the winds, 

Fast snows he on and on, until he covers 

The tops of headlands, and high mountain-crests, 

And lotos-plains, and husbandmen's fat fields ; 

And upon creeks and shores o' th' surfy sea 

They're also showered; but there the approaching wave 

285 Holds them in check ; yet covered o'er a-top 
Is everything elsewhere, what time from Zeus 
Down falls the snow-storm heavy ; — So now stones 
From Them on both sides fast and thick were flying ; 
These at the Trojans : at the Achaians those 
From pelted Trojans ; and a heavy din 
O'er the whole wall uprose. But not even then 

290 Had glorious Hector and the Trojans burst 

Through the wall's gates, and the great bar thereof, 
If Zeus the lord of counsel had not urged 
His doughty son Sarpedon 'gainst the Achaians, 
Like as a lion attacking twist-horned beeves. 
Before him then he bare his comely shield, 
Round all and even, of copper, beaten out : 

295 That shield the copper-smith had hammered out, 

And stitched thick bulls'-hides in, with golden stitches 
Carried all round throughout : this he now held 
Before himself, and brandishing two spears 
His way he went ; like as a mountain-lion, 
Long lacking fleshmeat, when his gallant heart 

300 Urges him forth to make attempt on flocks, 

E'en at their homestead fold ; for though perchance 
He finds beside them shepherds keeping watch 



330 THE ILIAD. XII. 

Over the flocks, with pike- staves and with dogs, — 
Yet bent is he on not being chased away 
Without attempt upon the folds ; but in 

305 He leaps, and either carries off his prey, 
Or else, by javelin forth from nimble hand, 
Smitten at once is he himself; So now, 
Godlike Sarpedon by his heart was urged 
To make assault upon the wall, and break 
Right through the battlements. Anon he addressed 
Glaucos, the son of lord Hippolochus : 

310 " Now wherefore, Glaucos, are We twain forsooth 
i Honoured the highest in the land of Lycia, 
6 With seat, with fleshmeat messes, and full goblets ? 
i And why look all on us, as were we gods ? 
' And by the banks of Xanthus have we and hold 
4 An ample portion, goodly, allotted us, 
6 A vineyard plot, and cornland bearing wheat ? 

315 ' Now therefore, being among the foremost Lycians 
' Us it behoves to stand the brunt, and take 
' Share of the raging fight ; that on this wise 
' May be the talk of all stout-harnessed Lycians : 
" Sure indeed Our chief lords in Lycian land 
" Do not hear rule inglorious, and devour 

320 " Fat flocks, and honey-sweet choice wine ; but strength, 
" Yea gallant strength have they, since thus they fight 
" Among the foremost Lycians f" my pippin, 
"' If indeed safe through this w r ar might we come, 
1 And were to be from both Old Age and Death 
' For ever free, sure neither fight w T ould I 
' Among the foremost, neither would I equip 

325 ' Thee for the man-ennobling fight : but Now,— 
6 Since Destinies of Death are close at hand 



book M. 331 

1 Yea countless, which may no man 'scape nor shun, — 
1 Let 's onward ! Either unto some one's reach 
' We'll hold out glory, or some one shall to Us !" 
He spake : and not away did Glaucos turn, 
Nor was he slack to obey. So went they twain, 

330 Straight on, and led the mighty host of Lycians. 
Then shuddered lord Menestheus, Peteos' son, 
At sight of them : for coming were they now 
Bearers of mischief to the tower He kept. 
Then peered he about along the Achaians' tower, 
If haply could he spy some chieftain there, 
Who might ward off this Mischief from his comrades : 

335 Anon he noted either Ajax standing, — 

Of battle insatiate both, — and by them Teucer, 
Just from his hut : but no-wise possible 
Was 't for Menestheus to be heard a-shouting 
Amid so great a din ; for "unto heaven 
Up-reached the clatter both of horse-haired helmets 
And bucklers battered, and of gates ; for shut 

340 Were all the gates ; and at them stood the foe 
Striving to burst them by main force and enter. 
Forthwith to Ajax then he sent his herald 
Thootes : " Haste, noble Thootes, go, 
( Call Ajax hither ; or rather, both of them : 
' This were far best of all ; since whelming ruin 

345 ' Will here be soon contrived; for hitherward 

1 The Lycians' leaders drive with all their weight, 

1 Who of old are wont to be surpassing veh'ment 

' In sturdv battles : and if also there 

' A toil and fight has ris'n for Them, — yet so, 

* Let Ajax the strong son of Telamon 

1 Coaie, though alone : and with him Let come also 



332 THE ILIAD. XII. 

350 i Teucer well-skilled in bows." He spake ; and the herald 
Gave ear and was not slack to obey ; but started 
Running along the brass-mailed Argives' wall : 
He came and stood by Ajax, one and the other, 
And spake to them forthwith : " either Ajax, 
' Captains of brass-mailed Argives, Haste ye yonder ; 

355 ' Prince Peteos' son entreats you ; to partake 
* ( His toil, if only for a little while : 

' Both of you would he rather : for indeed 

' This were far best of all ; since whelming ruin 

* Will soon be there contrived ; for thitherward 

4 The Lycians' leaders drive with all their weight, 
' Who of old are wont to be surpassing veh'ment 

360 c In sturdy battles ; but if also here 

4 Fight has arisen and combat, yet e'en so, 

i Let Ajax the strong son of Telamon 

' Come, though alone ; and Let come with him also 

' Teucer, well-skilled in bowmanship." He spake : 

Whereat huge Ajax, son of Telamon, 

Was nothing loth to obey. Forthwith he addressed 

365 Ajax, Oileus' son, in winged words : 

"Ajax ! you twain, Thou and bold Lycomedes, 
' Stop here and urge ye on the Danaan troops 

* To do stout battle : I '11 meantime go yonder, 
' And there partake the fight : and back again 

1 I'll soon return, when them I've well defended." 
370 So saying, away went Telamonian Ajax ; 
And with him also went his brother Teucer, 
Of the same sire : went with them too Pandion, 
Carrying Teucer's crooked bow and arrows. 
Soon as they reached high-souled Menestheus' tower, 
They passed within the wall thereof, and reached 



book M. 333 

The men hard pressed ; for now were those bold captains 

375 And princes of the Lycians mounting up, 
Like a dark hurricane, to the battlements : 
Then face to face they met in fight together, 
And battle-shout arose. And foremost Ajax, 
The son of Telarnon, smote down a man, 
Sarpedon's comrade, high-souled Epicleus ; 
He slew him with a rugged quarry-stone, 

380 Bulky, that lay topmost within the wall 
Beside the parapet : not easily 
With both his hands forsooth might e'er a man, 
Not e'en in proudest bloom and prime of life, 
Such as mankind are now-a-days, have raised it : 
But lifted He and hurled it from on high ; 
AVhereat it crushed the four-plumed helm, and mashed 

385 The skull-bones all at once : so down pitched He, 
Like to a diver, from the lofty tower, 
And life forsook his bones. Meanwhile with arrow 
Prom the high rampart Teucer shot lord Glaucos 
Hippolochus' bold son, as on he rushed ; 
Shot him just where he spied his arm uncovered ; 
And stopped him from the fight. So back again, 

390 Escaping notice, leapt he from the wall ; 
Lest on him wounded any Achaian man 
Should gaze, and brag with glorying words thereat, 
Distress forthwith, at Glaucos going away, 
Came on Sarpedon, soon as was he aware : 
* Nathless of battle not was he forgetful ; 
But with his lance he aimed and pierced Alcmaon 

395 Thestorides ; then drew his weapon out. 

Following the lance, dow^n headlong fell the chief, 
And all about him rang again his harness 



334 THE ILIAD. XII. 

Inwrought with brass. Anon with sturdy hands 
Sarpedon clutched and 'gan to drag away 
The parapet ; whereat the whole thereof 
Followed outright : the wall above was stript ; 

400 And way he oped for many. Him howe'er 
Teucer and Ajax both at once attacked ; 
One with an arrow hit the shining strap 
Of the ample shield that covered the whole man, — 
The strap about his chest ; but Zeus kept off 
The fatal goddesses from His own child ; 
Nor would at ships' poops he should be o'ermastered. 

405 But, springing at him, Ajax pricked his buckler, 

And through it went his lance right clean, and rudely 

Checked him in hot career : so back he drew 

A little from the parapet ; yet He 

Not quite withdrew himself; for still his heart 

Was hoping to win glory. Then about 

He turned himself and urged his godlike Lycians : 

410 " Lycians ! why cease ye thus from furious prowess ? 
1 *T is hard for me alone, how strong soe'er, 
' To make a breach and open way to the ships : 
' But follow ye on together ! for i' faith 
' More hands make braver work !" He spake : whereat, 
Fearing somewhat their chieftain's round rebuke, 
Onwards they pressed all vehement more and more, 

415 Circling their counsellor-lord. On the other side, 
Within the wall the Achaians also strengthened 
Their lines, for great appeared the work before them. » 
For neither were the mighty Lycians able 
Through breaches in the Danaans' wall to force 
A passage to the ships ; nor ever able 
Were -Danaan spearmen back again to thrust 



book M. 335 

420 The Lycians from the wall, when once they had reached it. 
But as two landlords, measures in their hands, 
For boundaries in a commonable field 
Stand wrangling ; and within a narrow compass 
For equal share they squabble ; so forsooth 
Here did the battlements keep These asunder ; 
And o'er them, each at other, did they slash 

425 The brave round bull's-hide bucklers on their breasts, 
And the light shaggy shields. And many a one 
Was wounded in his flesh by ruthless weapon ; 
Sure whoso turned him in the fight and left 
His back uncovered for the foe ; and many 
Right through the shield and all. Now everywhere, 
On either side from Trojans and Achaians, 

430 All spattered were the towers and battlements 
With blood of warriors. Yet withal, not able 
Were they to turn the Achaian troops to flight : 
But on they held ; and as a needy spinster, 
A truthful woman, with her wool and weight 
Draws up and balances at either end 
Her pair of scales, whereby to take her wage, 

435 Some slender pittance for her babes ; even so, 
Now betwixt These was balanced equally 
The fray and skirmish : till at least when Zeus 
Gave greater glory to Priamides, 
Prince Hector ; for the foremost in leaped He 
Within the Achaians' wall : now thrillingly 
Aloud he cried and shouted to his Trojans : 

440 " Now On ! ye Trojan horsemen ! On ! and breach 
'The Achaians' wall, and in amongst their ships 
' Throw furious fire !" So spake he and urged them on : 
And they all heard with all their ears, and dashed 



336 THE ILIAD. XII. 

Straight at the wall together : they then mounted, 
Sharp spears in hand, upon the battlements. 

445 Hector now snatched and brought a stone, which stood 
Next 'fore the gates ; 'twas thick, but sharp a-top : 
Which scarce two men, the choicest of the land, 
Such as mankind are now-a-days, could hoist 
Into a waggon from the ground : but He, 
With ease although alone, did brandish it : 

450 For light in weight the son of wily Ohronos 

Had made it him. And as with ease a shepherd 

Takes in one hand and carries a ram's fleece ; 

And lightly upon him does the burden press ; 

So now did Hector lift and bear the stone 

Straight to the door-planks, which kept close the gates, 

The double-folding gates, fast shut, and lofty : 

455 Two answering bolts on the inside held all fast, 
Wherein w r as fitted one cross-bar. Full near 
He went and stood, and set himself right firm, 
Legs well asunder, lest his bolt were feeble, — 
And smote the doors in midst ; and burst away 
Both hinges ; by its weight the stone fell inwards ; 
And harsh the gates did grate again ; the bolts 

460 Held fast no longer, and the planks were parted, 
By the stone's force, this way and that asunder : 
Then in forthwith leapt He, the glorious Hector, 
In countenance like unto aw T ful Night ; 
And grim he shone in terrible brass, wherewith 
All harnessed was he about him : in his hands 
Two spears he held : sure none who chanced to meet him, 

465 Save 't were some god, had checked him when he sprang 
In at the gates : and both his eyes flashed fire. 
Then turned he about to his company, and cheered 



book N. 353 

At seeing such toil. — So thus those two strong sons 

345 Of Chronos, taking thought for different sides, 
Contrived sad troubles for the warrior chiefs : 
For Zeus, to glorify foot-swift Achilles, 
Willed mastery to prince Hector and his Trojans ; 
Yet not to an end outright, in front of Ilion, 
Did he desire to bring the Achaian host ; 
But honour unto Thetis would he do, 

350 And to her high-souled son : meanwhile, Poseidon 
By stealth uprose from out the hoary sea, 
Went 'mongst the Achaians, and did urge them on : 
For grieved he was at their being overpowered 
By Trojans, and was mighty wroth with Zeus. 
Sure indeed both were of one common race, 
And one their fatherland, but Zeus was the elder, 

355 And had more knowledge. Wherefore openly 
Poseidon shunned to give his aid, but close, 
In likeness of a man, throughout the host 
He always roused them up : so swayed they twain 
The rope-end of the common battle-strife 
And sturdy war, by turns to either side, 
Straining it tight, not to be loosed or broken ; 

360 Yet which did loose the knees of many a man. 
So now Idomeneus, though grizzle-pated, 
Cheering the Danaans, darted on the Trojans, 
And waked dismay amongst them : for he slew 
Ithryoneus ; whose home was now at Ilion, 
Whereto he had lately come from forth Cabesos, 
On the report of warfare : and he craved 

365 Cassandra, without bride-groom gifts, the fairest 
Of all Priam's daughters ; and upon himself 
He took a mighty task,— to drive away 

23 



354 THE ILIAD. XIII. 

'Spite of their will the Aehaians' sons from Troy. 
And unto him the old chieftain Priam promised 
And had agreed to give her : so he fought, 
Relying upon his promises. But at him 

370 Idomeneus now aimed with glittering spear, 

And reached and hit him as he strode high-stepping : 
Nor did the brazen corslet he was wearing 
Parry the spear-point ; but he planted it 
In his mid-belly, and down he heavily fell : 
Whereat Idomeneus thus gloried o'er him, 
And said : " Othryoneus ! thee do I praise 

375 i Past all mankind, if really shalt thou achieve 
' All thou hast promised Priam Dardanides ; 
' And He engaged his daughter unto thee ! 
' So would we also promise and achieve 
' E'en this for thee : from Argos would we escort 
1 The comeliest one of all Atreides' daughters 
* And give to thee in marriage ; if with us 

380 ' Thou wouldst clean sack the pleasant Town of Ilion, 
' But follow me to our ships that cleave the deep, 
' That on the marriage we may agree together : 
€ For nowise niggardly are we forsooth 
' In portioning our brides ! " So saying, by foot 
Through the stern battle lord Idomeneus 
Dragged him along. Anon, to rescue him 

385 Came Asios on foot before his horses, 

Which panting at his shoulders close behind 

The attendant charioteer did ever keep ; 

So fain at heart was he to hit the foe : 

With lance howe'er Idomeneus was first 

And in the gullet hit him 'neath his chin, 

And drave the brass right through : so down he fell, 



book N. 355 

390 As when some oak-tree falls, or a white poplar, 

Or some tall pine, that shipwrights have cut down 
Upon the hills, with hatchets newly w T hetted, 
Timber for ships : so he before his horses 
And chariot lay outstretched, gnashing his teeth, 
And clutching handfuls of the gory dust. 
Whereat astounded was his charioteer, 

395 Bereft of all the wits he had afore ; 

Nor heart had he to turn his horses back 

To escape the foemen's hands : and so with spear 

Antilochus, in battle steadfast, hit him 

And .pierced in midst ; nor did the brazen corslet, 

He wore, ward off; but in his belly's midst 

The foeman stuck his lance. Gasping for breath 

400 Down from the fair-wrought chariot-board he pitched : 
Whereat the mighty-hearted Nestor's son, 
Antilochus, forthwith drave off the horses 
Unto the fair-greaved Argives from the Trojans. 
Meanwhile, right close before Idomeneus 
Up came Deiphobus, grieving for Asius, 
And darted with his glittering spear : but He, 

405 Idomeneus, before him saw and 'scaped 

The brazen lance ; for shielded was he well 
Behind the fair round buckler which he carried, 
All inlaid round with oxhides and bright brass, 
Well fitted with two armlet-rods : 'neath this 
He crouched, and o'er him flew the brazen spear : 
Whereat the buckler, as the spear grazed on it, 

410 Bang huskily : yet from his heavy hand 
Deiphobus launched not the spear in vain, 
But hit the son of Hippasos, Hypsenor, 
The pastor of his people, in his liver 



356 THE ILIAD. XIII. 

Under the midriff, and at once made sink 
His knees beneath him. Then Deiphobus, 
Loud shouting, gloried o'er him wondrously : 

415 " Not unavenged forsooth lies Asius now ! 

1 But he, methinks, though going down to realms 
1 Of sturdy Hades, Fastener close of gates, 
' Will in his heart rejoice ; since here I Ve sent 
' An escort to attend him ! " — Spake he thus : 
But grief arose 'mongst the Argives at his glorying, 
And stirred the spirit of bold Antilochus 

420 Most chiefly : yet neglectful of his comrade 

He was not, — grieved although ; but running up 
Bestrode, and o'er him held his sheltering buckler. 
Anon two trusty comrades, prince Alastor 
And Eehios' son, Mecisteus, heavily sighing, 
Shouldered and bare him off to the hollow ships. 
Meanwhile, Idomeneus thought not of staying 

425 His mighty spirit ; but eager was he ever 
Either to shroud some Trojan in dark night, 
Or else, in warding mischief from the Achaians, 
To fall himself. Now slew he lord Alcathous, 
Prince iEsyetes* dear-loved son : by marriage 
Allied was he to Anchises ; and to wife 
The eldest of his daughters had he taken, 

430 Hippodameia ; whom her lady mother 
And father treated, with right hearty love 
Under their roof; for she surpassed in beauty 
And handiworks, and wits, all of her age : 
Wherefore the bravest man in ample Troas 
Had wedded her : but now his brilliant eyes 

435 Poseidon spell-bound, shackled his fair limbs, 
And bowed him down beneath Idomeneus. 



book N. 357 

For neither backward could he make escape, 
Nor swerve aside ; but standing all unmoved, 
As 'twere some lofty-branching tree, or buttress, 
Him in mid chest did lord Idomeneus 
Wound with his lance, and rent all round about him 

440 His brazen corslet, which aforetime warded 

Dark death from off his flesh : forth now it uttered 
A rasping rattle, rent about the spear : 
And down he heavily fell ; and deep was planted 
The lance within his heart, which heaved indeed 
Panting thereat, and made the spear's butt end 
To quiver again : and thereupon strong Ares 

445 Slackened its force. Idomeneus forthwith, 
Loud shouting, gloried o'er him wondrously : 
" Sure now forsooth, Deiphobus, we deem it 
' Worth somewhat like as much, that three are slain 
4 For one of ours, — for all thy glorying thus ! 
' Nathless, good Sir, stand thou too forth against me ; 
' So mayst thou see, what manner of seed of Zeus 

450 ' I 'm now come hither ; for 'twas He ere while 
' Begat prince Minos, guardian over Crete : 

* Then Minos gat a blemishless brave son, 
4 Deucalion ; and Deucalion gat Me, 

* Who am king o'er many chiefs in ample Crete : 

6 But now my ships have brought me hither, — ruin 
' To Thee, and to thy sire, and to all Trojans." 
455 He spake : whereat in doubt Deiphobus 

'Twixt two minds halted, whether to draw back, 
And choose for comrade, if he haply might, 
Some high-souled Trojan ; or whether e'en alone 
To try his luck. And on his pondering thus, 
Better it seemed to go and seek iEneas : 



358 THE ILIAD. XIII. 

And outmost of the throng he found him standing ; 

460 For ever wroth was he with high-born Priam, 
For that indeed he nowise honoured him, 
Brave though he was 'mongst men : now drawing near 
He accosted him and spake in winged words : 
" iEneas ! Trojan Counsellor ! much now 
' Behoves it thee defend thy brother-in-law, 
' If any touch of kind concern thou hast. - 

465 ' Then come along; and Let's defend Alcathons, 
' Who was thy brother-in-law, and tenderly 
' Erst reared thee while a child within his palace : 
' Him now spear-famed Idomeneus has killed." 
He spake ; and stirred thereby ^Eneas' heart 
Within his breast : then eager all for battle 
Against Idomeneus forthwith he went. 

470 Yet came not on Idomeneus dismay, 

As on pet child thereat ; but staunch he stayed, 
As might some wild boar, trusting in his might, 
Upon the mountains, when in lonely place 
He bides the huntsmen's noisy throng on-coming, 
And bristles up his back ; and his eyes glare 
Flashing with fire ; and bent on warding off 

475 Both hounds as well as men, he whets his tusks ; 
E'en so spear-famed Idomeneus did bide, 
Nor did he budge before the on-coming foe 
JEneas, hasting to the battle-shout; 
But looking on his friends he called upon them, 
Ascalaphus, and lord Deipyros, 
And on Meriones, and Aphareus, 

480 And on Antilochus, all skilful masters 

Of battle-din : these urged he on and thus 
Addressed in winged words : " Hither I my friends ! 



book ft. 359 

1 And help me — here alone ! for strangely I fear 
1 The on-coming of iEneas, nimble-footed, 
' Who against me now is hieing : for in fight 
1 Sure passing strong is He in slaughtering men : 

485 i He too is in the flower and bloom of life, 

i Which is the greatest strength. Ah ! were we indeed 

1 Of same age with such heart as this, He soon, 

1 Or I, should win a mighty mastery !" — 

He spake : and with one spirit within their hearts, 

Slanting their shields forthwith upon their shoulders, 

They all drew near and stood.— On the other side, 

490 iEneas also looked towards his friends, 

And urged them on, Deiphobus, and Paris, 

And prince Agenor, who were all commanders, 

With him, of Trojans ; and their troops close followed ; 

Even as flocks from grass close follow forth 

The ram to watering ; and at heart the shepherd 

Is glad thereat ; so was the spirit gladdened 

495 Within Eneas' breast, when thus about him 
He saw such host of men all following close. 
Anon to fight about Alcathous' corse 
On rushed they hand to hand with lengthy spears : 
And on their breasts the brass did ring again 
Terribly, as they aimed, each side at other, 
Throughout the throng : thus two men, doughty warriors, 

500 Beyond compare past all, equal to Ares, — 
iEneas and Idomeneus, were fain 
With ruthless brass to wound each other's flesh : 
And first iEneas at Idomeneus 
Darted with spear : but looking straight before him 
He shunned the brazen weapon ; and away 
iEneas' lance went quivering to the ground ; 



860 THE ILIAD. XIII. 

505 Since all in vain from forth his sturdy hands 
It idly had sped. Anon Idomeneus 
Darted and hit Oinomaus in mid belly ; 
Whereat the weapon rent his corslet's hollow, 
And tore his inwards out ; and down i' th' dust 
He fell, and clutched the ground with scrabbling fist. 
From out the corse Idomeneus then plucked 

510 His lengthy spear, but all the goodly harness 
From off the shoulders not now could he strip ; 
So sorely was he pressed upon by darts. 
For firm no longer were his nether limbs 
For hasting on to attack, nor yet for rushing 
After his own lance, nor to avoid another's : 
Wherefore in stand-still fight he warded off 

515 The ruthless day : nor swiftly for retreating 

From out the battle might his feet now bear him : 
So at him, slowly step by step withdrawing, 
Darted Deiphobus with glittering spear ; 
For evermore against him had he a grudge 
Unceasingly : yet Re too now missed aim ; 
But with the lance he hit Ascalaphus, 

520 Son of the Warrior-god, and through his shoulder 
The weighty spear held on : and in the dust 
He pitched and seized the ground with clutching hand. 
But strong, loud-shouting Ares heard not yet 
Of his own son thus fall'n in sturdy battle ; 
For on Olympus' top 'neath golden clouds 
Sitting was He, cooped up by Jove's high counsels^ 

525 Where also were the other deathless gods 

Kept from the war aloof.— Thus to close combat 
Around Ascalaphus on rushed the warriors : 
Anon Deiphobus tore the bright helmet 



book N. 361 

From off Ascalaphus : but with his lance 

Meriones, like unto hasty Ares, 

Rushed on and smote his arm, and down fell humming 

530 The eye-holed casque from out his hand to the earth : 
Then rushed Meriones, like a gyr-falcon, 
At him again and plucked the heavy spear 
From out his arm at shoulder ; and withdrew 
Into his comrades' troop again : whereat 
Deiphobus' own brother, lord Polites, 
Stretched forth his arms about his waist and led him 

535 From out the ill-sounding battle ; till he reached 
His nimble horses, which with rich-wrought chariot 
And charioteer were standing ready for him 
In rear of all the combat and the fight : 
Him thus distressed and fetching heavy groans 
Unto the Town they carried ; while the blood 
Still streamed all down his lately-wounded arm. 

540 Meanwhile, on fought the rest, and quenchless rose 
The battle-shout. Anon at Aphareus, 
Caletor's son, iEneas rushed and smote 
With point of spear his gullet, turned towards him : 
Whereat on the other side his head was bowed, 
And on him clung his buckler, and his helmet ; 
And spirit-quelling Death came whelming o'er him, 

545 Meanwhile, on Thoon, as he turned about, 

Antilochus kept watch, and rushed and wounded ; 
And clean cut through the vein, which all along 
Runs up the back and reaches to the neck : 
This then he quite cut through ; and in the dust, 
Down tumbled He, outstretching both his arms 
Towards his comrades. But Antilochus, 

550 Peering about, rushed on and 'gan to strip 



362 THE ILIAD. XIII. 

The harness from his shoulders ; while the Trojans, 

Standing all round, from every side did slash 

His ample shield all-glancing ; but unable 

Were they to graze the tender flesh within 

Of prince Antilochus ; so safely guarded 

All round by him who Shakes the Earth, Poseidon, 

555 Was Nestor's son, although midst many darts. 
For from the foemen never was he aloof, 
But turned about amongst them every way ; 
Nor did his lance keep still, but evermore 
Was poised to and fro and whirled about, and ever 
In heart he aimed at coping hand to hand, 
Or else for flinging off-hand at some foe. 

560 But not about the throng aimed he unnoticed 
By Adamas Asiades, who rushed 
From near at hand, and smote his shield i' th' midst 
With sharp-edged brass ; but lo, blue-haired Poseidon, 
Grudging him such a life, deadened the force 
From out his lance. One half indeed stayed there, 
Like as a pointed stake charred in the fire, 

565 Within the buckler of Antilochus ; 

And to the ground fell the other half; and back 

Into his comrades' troop hied Adamas 

To escape a slaughterous doom : but as he went, 

Meriones with spear close followed him 

And smote 'twixt groin and navel, where most painsome 

To luckless mortals is the attack of Ares : 

570 There planted he the spear ; wherewith down fell 
The foeman gasping, struggling on the shaft ; 
Like as an ox, which herdsmen on the hills 
Have bound perforce with ropes despite his will, 
And lead away ; so struggled he convulsive, 



book N. 363 

On thus being wounded, yet but little while, 
Not at all long ; till lord Meriones 

575 Drew nigh and plucked the spear from out his flesh : 
Then darkness veiled his eyes. Now hand to hand 
With a great Thracian sword prince Helenos 
Smote lord Deipyros upon his temple, 
And clashed his helmet off: off was it struck 
And fell to earth ; and rolling 'niongst their feet 
Was soon picked up by some of the Argive fighters ; 

580 And o'er his eyes came dark Night whelming down. 
Then grief gat hold on doughty Menelaus, 
The son of Atreus ; wherefore brandishing 
A pointed lance he went with threatening mien 
Against the prince, lord Helenos ; whereat 
His bow's horn back drew He. Thus then were meeting 

585 They two : one fain to launch with pointed spear, 
And the other with his arrow from the string : 
Priamides then with his arrow hit 
The corslet's hollow on Atreides breast, 
But straight therefrom the bitter shaft flew off. 
And as from off an ample winnowing-shovel 
On a large threshing-floor leap black-skinned beans, 

590 Or peas, beneath the winnower's forceful swing 

And the sharp wind ; so glancing from the corslet 

Of glorious Menelaus far away 

The bitter arrow flew. Whereat Atreides, 

The doughty Menelaus, hit that hand 

Which held the polished bow : and in the bow 

595 Right through the hand wa3 fixed the brazen spear. 
So back into his comrades' troop again, 
Letting his hand hang down, he drew to escape 
A slaughterous doom ; and mighty-souled Agenor 



364 



THE ILIAD. XIII. 



Drew it from out Ms hand, which then he bound, 
With sheep's wool deftly twisted, in a sling, 
Which all in readiness the attendant squire 

600 Had for the people's pastor. Straight anon 
At glorious Menelaus went Peisander : 
But to the term of death his evil Doom 
Led him to be bowed down in dreadful slaughter 
By Thee, Menelaus ! Now when, thus coming 
Each at the other, they were near at hand, 

605 Atreides missed ; and sideways glanced his spear. 
The shield howe'er of glorious Menelaus 
Peisander pricked ; but able was he not 
To drive the brass right through ; for the broad shield 
Withstood, aud snapped off was the spear in shaft ; 
Yet glad wns he in heart and hoped for mast'ry ; 
But, plucking forth his silver-studded sword, 

610 Atreides with a spring leaped at Peisander ; 

Who from beneath his shield now took in hand 
His goodly battle-axe, well-wrought, of brass, 
With lengthy haft of olive-wood, fair-polished : 
And each at other came they at once together. 
Peisander smote the peak of his foe's helmet 
Bushy with horse-hair, 'neath the plume a-top ; 

615 But Menelaus hit him as he came 

Betwixt his eyes, just o'er the utmost nose ; 

Whereat the bones all rattled as they brake, 

And bloody upon the ground before his feet 

Fell his two eyes in dust, and down he tumbled 

All doubled up : anon Atreides stepped 

With heel upon his breast, and stripped his harness ; 

620 Then glorying spake this word : " So shall ye leave 
' E'en thus behind ye, O ye saucy Trojans, 



BOOK N. 



365 



* Insatiate of grim battle-shout, the ships 

1 Of swift-horsed Argives ; Lacking not indeed 

* Are ye in other outrage and disgrace, 

t "Wherewith ye've done me despite, you ill dogs; 
1 Nor have ye at heart e'er had a touch of awe 

625 ' Of the dread anger of loud-thundering Zeus, 
i Zeus Hospitable ; who will sure some time 
' Utterly overthrow your lofty Town ; 
' For that ye went and rashly carried off 
1 My lawful wedded wife and many a treasure, 
6 When kindly welcomed as her guests ye had been : 
6 And now ye 're bent on throwing wasteful fire 

630 ' On our sea-cleaving galleys, and on slaughtering 
' The Achaian chiefs : but, fain howe'er ye be, 
' Ye shall ere long refrain from slaughterous Ares. 
' Zeus father ! sure in wits thou passest all, 
' Both men and gods, they say ; yet all these things 
' Arise from Thee ; for that thou shew'st such kindness 
' Unto outrageous, wanton men, these Trojans ; 

635 ' Whose heart is ever arrogant, nor can they 
' Of battle-din be sated to their fill 
1 In warfare's partnership. One sure may have 
1 Surfeit of all things, even of love, and sleep, 
' And of delightful song, and faultless dance, 
' Desire for which indeed one longs to sate, 
1 Yea rather than for fighting : but insatiate 

640 ' These Trojans are of battle."— Saying thus, 
Blemishless Menelaus pulled the harness, 
Gory, from off the corse, and gave to his comrades. 
Then went he again, all as he was, and mixed 
Amongst the foremost fighters. Now against him 
Forth sprang the lord Pylaemon's son, Harpalion, 



366 THE ILIAD. XIII. 

Who with his sire had come to fight at Troy ; 

645 Yet went not back to his fatherland again. 

Forthwith from close at hand pricked he with spear 
Atreides' shield in midst, but could not drive 
The brass right through ; so to his comrades' troop, 
To escape a slaughterous doom, he hied him back, 
Peering all round, lest some one with his weapon 
Should haply touch his flesh : but at him going 

650 Meriones let fly a brass-tipped arrow, 

And shot him too, behind, in the right buttock ; 
And 'neath the bone the arrow passed clean through, 
Outright along the bladder. And there he sank 
Into his comrades' arms, and, gasping forth 
His life's breath, on the ground he lay stretched out, 

655 As 'twere an earth-worm ; and his dark blood gushed, 
And drenched the ground. Round him in busy tendance 
Were high-souled Paphlagonians ; and sore grieving 
They set him on his chariot and away 
Took him to sacred Ilion ; and his father 
Went shedding tears among them : but requital 
Of no sort had he for his son deceased. 

660 Now for Him slaughtered mighty wroth at heart 
Was Paris : for, with many Paphlagonians, 
His guest was He. Whereat thus wroth for Him, 
He launched a brass-tipped arrow. Now 7 there was 
A certain man, Euchenor, wealthy and brave, 
The seer Polvides' son, who had his dwelling 
At Corinth, and who came to the war by ship, 

665 Though well he knew his deadly doom of slaughter : 
For oft had th' old man, good Polvides, told him, 
How he should either die by sore disease 
In his own home, or else should be bowed down 



book N. 367 

Under the Trojans, 'mongst the Achaians' galleys : 
Wherefore he thought to avoid both hateful sickness 
At once, and heavy fine imposed by the Argives, 
That so he should not suffer grief at heart. 
Him Paris hit beneath his ear and jaw ; 
And quickly from his limbs the spirit departed, 
And hateful gloom overwhelmed him. Fighting on 
Were they in suchwise, like to blazing fire. 
Meanwhile, not heard had Hector, loved of Zeus, 
Nor knew he aught, how falling were his men 

675 Cut down by Argives at the galleys' left : 

And haply soon had the Argives had, yea, glory, 
For so the Eneompasser of land, the Earth-shaker, 
Did cheer the Achaians on, and furthermore 
Himself did help with might : but on held Hector 
Where first he leapt within the gate and wall, 

680 And brake the serried lines of shielded Danaans ; 
E'en where the galleys of Protesilaus 
And also of Ajax were, drawn up ashore 
Upon the beach of the hoary sea : for lowest 
The wall above was builded, where most chiefly 
Eager in fight they were, both men and horses : 

685 There the Boeotians, and long-frocked Ionians, 
Glorious Epeians, Locrians too, and Phthians, 
With much ado, scarce kept him from the ships 
As on he rushed : but like a blazing fire 
Prince Hector from themselves they could not thrust. 
Here foremost stood picked champions of i\thenians ; 
And o'er them chief commander was Menestheus, 

690 The son of Peteus ; with him these went also, 
Pheidas, and Stichius, and the gallant Bias. 
Then of the Epeians — Phyleus' son was captain, 



368 THE ILIAD. XIII. 

Meges, and with him Drakios, and Amphion. 
Leading* the Phthians was both staunch Podarces 
And Medon (bastard son of prince Oileus 
Was He, lord Medon, brother unto Ajax ; 

695 And from his fatherland aloof he dwelt 
In Phylace, for that he had slain a man, 
Kinsman of Eriopis, his step-mother, 
Whom prince Oileus had to wife : and the other, 
Podarces, was the son of lord Iphiclus 
Phylacides) : thus harnessed then were these 
Leading the high-souled Phthians, and were fighting 

700 To guard the ships, along with the Boeotians. 
Now never aloof from Telamonian Ajax 
Did stand, no never a whit, the lesser Ajax, 
Oileus' nimble son ; but, as a pair 
Of tawny oxen, having spirit alike, 
Draw in a fallow-field the strong-built plough, 
And round about their horns, at root thereof, 

705 Much sweat up-oozes ; and the polished yoke 
Alone does part the pair, as down the furrow 
They 're set a-going, and thus it cleaves along 
Unto the corn-field's end ; so side by side 
Did either Ajax close together keep. 
Yet men, both many and gallant comrades, followed 

710 The son of Telamon; who took of him 

His shield, whene'er distress and sweat were come 
Upon his knees : but Locrians did not follow 
The mighty-hearted son of prince Oileus ; 
For in close fight their heart did not stand fast ; 
For no brass-fitted helms with horse-hair bushy 

715 Had they, nor fair round shields, nor ashen spears : 
But unto Ilion came they all together 



book N. 369 

Putting their trust in arrow and bow, and sling 

Of sheep's wool deftly twisted ; wherewithal 

Oft launched they then, and brake the Trojans' lines. 

So some in front, equipped in fair-wrought harness, 

'Gainst Hector, brazen-helmed, and his Trojans 

Were fighting now ; and others in the rear 

Did launch their bolts, unseen ; whereat the Trojans 

No more bethought them of the joy of battle, 

For the foe's arrows quite confounded them. 

Then had the Trojans haply in sorry plight 

Withdrawn to windy Ilion from the ships 

And camp-huts, had not lord Polydamas 

Gone to bold Hector and accosted him : 

" Hector! thou'rt hard of trusting others' counsels : — 

' Because the god has giv'n thee, passing measure, 

'The work of war, — dost therefore think likewise 

' In counsel too to be more skilled than others ? 

' But no-wise canst thou of thyself attain 

( All things at once : for unto one indeed 

730 ' The god has giv'n the works of war ; to other 
1 The dancer's art, to other the harp and song : 
1 And in another's breast far-seeing Zeus 
' Puts goodly thought, wherefrom rnucli folk have welfare, 
' And cities also has it saved, and He 
* Himself most chiefly knows it for a surety. 

735 ' Yet say will I, as unto me seems best : 
1 For circling all about thee is the throng 
1 Of battle blazing ; and the high-souled Trojans, 
' Since came they down the wall, are broken up 
' About the ships, and some indeed with arms 
' Keep all aloof, and fighting are some others, 
' Few against odds. Then draw thou back, and hither 

24 



370 THE ILIAD. XIII. 

740 ' Summon our nobles all. And fully then 

' With each and every counsel make we acquaintance ; 

1 Whether at once to attack the many-oared ships, 

4 If haply so the god may will to give us 

4 The mast'ry ; or then scatheless from the ships 

' To come, if so we may : for I indeed 

■ For my part fear the Achaians will repay us 

745 ' The debt of yesterday in full ; for here 
4 Beside his galleys yet abides a Man* 
' Insatiable of battle, who me thinks 
4 Will sure no longer keep himself from fighting. " 
So spake Polydamas : whose safe advice 
Pleased Hector well : then straight with all his harness 
Down leapt he from his chariot to the ground ; 

750 And thus in winged words accosted him : 
" Keep Thou, Polydamas, our best all here, 
4 While I go yonder, and will meet the fight, 
' And back I '11 come again forthwith, when charge 
* To Them I 've throughly given." He spake ; then shouting, 
Hied him away, towering like snowy mountain, 

755 And flew among the Trojans and the allies. 
So to Polydamas, the manly son 
Of Panthoos, hied they all, on having heard 
Prince Hector's voice. And 'mongst the foremost fighters 
To and fro went He to seek, if might he find, 
His mightiness lord Helenos, and Asius 
Hyrtacus' son, and lord Deiphobus, 

760 And Adamas Asiades : but them 

He found no longer scatheless quite, nor free 

From ruin : some 'neath the Argives' hands had lost 

Their lives and lay beside the Achaians' galleys : 

* Achilles. 



book N. 371 

And others at the wall were shot and wounded, 
By near or off-hand weapon. Soon he found 

765 Upon the left wing of the mournful battle 
Prince Alexander, fair-tressed Helen's lord, 
Cheering his friends and urging them to fight : 
Then standing near he spake in scornful words : 
" Unlucky Paris ! Choicest in fair form ! 
4 Mad after women ! Deceiver ! Where, I pr'ythee, 
1 Where is his mightiness lord Helenos ? 

770 ' And where Deiphobus, and Adamas 
'Asiades? and where Othryoneus, 
4 And Asius too Hyrtacides ? Now ruined 
4 Is lofty Ilion quite from top to bottom : 
1 Now safe is utter ruin for Thee ! " Whereat 
The godlike Alexander answered him : 

775 " Hector! since hast thou a mind to blame, where ground 
1 Is not for blame, mayhap some other time 
4 'Tis like yet more I stayed away from battle ; 
4 Although not quite a weakling did our mother 
4 Breed also me : for e'er since by the ships 
' Thou wakedst up thy comrades' fight, so long 
4 Unceasingly have we been here and meet 

780 ' The Danaans in battle : but the friends, 

'Those after whom enquirest thou, are slain. 

4 Two only are gone away ; Deiphobus ; 

4 Also his mightiness lord Helenos ; 

' Wounded by lengthy spear, both in the arm ; 

' But Chronides did ward off slaughter from them, 

' Yet now Lead on, whithersoe'er thy heart 

785 ' And soul may bid ; and follow close will we 

' Right fain ; and never a whit methinks in prowess 
4 Shall we be lacking, for our strength at least : 



372 THE ILIAD. XIII. 

' But not beyond our strength is't giv'n to fight, 
* How fain soe'er."— So saying, the chieftain won 
His brother's heart: then went they on their way, 
Where chiefly was the fight and battle-din, 

790 About the blemishless Polydamas 

Kebriones, and Phalcas, and Orthaios, 

And godlike Polyphoites, also Palmys, 

Ascanius too and Morys, the two sons 

Of lord Hippotion : 'twas in turn for others 

They'd come from rich Ascania's cloddy soil 

The yestermorn ; and then to fight Zeus urged them. 

795 So on went They, like unto a hurricane 

Of heavy winds, when down from forth the thunder 

Of father Zeus it falls upon a plain, 

And mingles with the sea with awful din, 

And thereamong is many a foaming wave 

Of the loud-boisterous deep, arched, crested white, 

Some forward, and yet others following after ; 

800 So with their captains did the Trojans follow 
In order close, some forward, others after, 
Gleaming with brass ; and like to slaughterous Ares 
Hector Priamides did go before ; 
And 'fore him held his good round shield,, compact 
Of oxhides ; and much brass was plated on it. 

805 And to and fro did move his brilliant helmet 
Upon his temples^ Forward at the lines 
Then strode he trying every way, if haply 
They would retire before him stepping on 
Under his buckler : but in the Argives' breasts 
The spirit he troubled not. Now foremost Ajax, 
Taking huge strides, thus challenged him to combat : 

810 " Good Sir, Come near ! Why scarest the Argives thus ? 



book IV. 373 

1 Sure never a whit in battle are we unskilled ; 
1 But bowed beneath the hurtful scourge of Zeus 
4 Have been we Achaians. Sure thy heart is hoping 
1 Utterly to destroy our ships, I ween ; 
' But ready hands have also We for aiding. 

315 ' Long, long ere that, may your fair-built City 
4 By these our hands be taken, and clean sacked ! 
1 And for thyself methinks the time is near, 
1 When thou shalt flee and pray to father Zeus 
' And to all the Deathless, for thy fair-maned horses 
4 To be more swift than hawks ; and o'er the plain 

820 * To raise the dust and bear thee to the Town ! " — 
As thus he spake, a right-hand lucky bird, 
A lofty-soaring eagle flew towards him ; 
Whereat the Achaians' host all straightway shouted, 
Relying on the omen. Glorious Hector 
Nathless thus answered him : " Ajax ! big bully, 
' Of words at random ! what is this thou say'st? 

825 ' 'would were I forsooth so sure the son 
4 Of iEgis-bearing Zeus for evermore, 
4 And that the lady Here were my mother, 
1 And that I were as honoured as Athene 
4 Is honoured and Apollo, — as this day 
4 Sure now is bringing mischief utterly 
4 On all the Achaians ! and amongst them Thou 

830 ' Shalt sure be slain, if haply wouldst thou dare 

4 To await my lengthy spear, which soon should rend 
4 Thy lily skin ; and by the Achaians' galleys 
4 Shalt fall and with thy fat and flesh shalt glut 
1 The Trojans' dogs and vultures ! " Saying thus, 
Onwards he led ; and with him followed they, 
With awful noise, whereat the troops in rear 



374 THE TLIAD. XIII. 

835 Shouted again : and shouted also Argives 
On the other side, nor did they now forget 
Their prowess, but did bide the Trojans' best, 
Their onset : and from both sides noise and .cry 
Rose up to heaven and Jove's bright beams on high. 



book E. 375 



ARGUMENT OF THE FOURTEENTH BOOK, H. 

Agamemnon with the wounded chiefs and Nestor holds a hasty consultation, 
Agamemnon is for flight : Odusseus rebukes him : Dionied is for going 
again at once, though wounded, into the field to encourage by their 
presence those who are still unhurt. Poseidon addresses them. Here, to 
help the Achaians, determines to overreach Zeus, which she accordingly 
does by the aid of Aphrodite's magic girdle and by the assistance of Sleep. 
Poseidon takes advantage of Zeus being subdued by slumber, and en- 
courages and helps the Argives. Ajax wounds Hector. The lesser Ajas 
also signalises himself^ and the Trojans are altogether worsted, and many 
of them are slain, 

XI: korc by lady Here Zeus is wheedled. 



The shout meanwhile did not escape the notice 
Of Nestor, drinking though he was ; but thus 
In winged words he addressed Asclepios' son : * 
u Think, prince Machaon, what may all this mean ; 
4 Louder beside the ships is now the shout 
4 Of yon brisk lads. Yet still sit thou and drink 

* The ruddy wine, while fair-tressed Hecamede 

4 Heats the warm bath wherewith to wash away 

* Thy bloody gore. But speed'ly haste will I 
4 Upon the look-out." Saying thus, he took 
A fair-wrought buckler shining all w T ith brass 

10 Which lay i'th' hut, the shield of his brave son, 
The horseman Thrasymed, who now was wearing 

* Nestor had taken to his hut the wounded Prince Machaon. See B. xi. 515, 617, et ; 



376 THE ILIAD. XIV. 

His father's shield. And a stout spear he grasped 
Made sharp with brazen point. Then forth he stood 
Outside the hut ; and presently he looked 
Upon unseemly doing : this host indeed 
Bewildered ; and yon host of high-souled Trojans 

15 Driving them in confusion from behind ; 

And the Argives' wall thrown down. Then as grows dark 

The vasty sea with a dumb heaving swell, 

Foretok'ning sudden tracks of whistling winds ; 

Yet still the same ; for onwards neither way 

Does it yet roll, till some decided breeze, 

Sent forth from Zeus, comes down ; so he, the old man, 

20 Pondered in doubt, divided in his mind, 
Whether to go to Atreides Agamemnon 
The pastor of the host, or to the throng 
Of swift-horsed Danaans. But on further thought 
The better way seemed thus : to go to Atreides. 
Fighting meanwhile were they, and slaying each other ; 

25 And on their flesh, as they were stricken with swords 
And double-fitted spears, the tough brass rattled. 
Anon returning from beside their ships, 
Those chieftain princes who had been hurt by weapon, — 
Atreides Agamemnon, and Odusseus, 
And Tydeus' son,— they all fell in with Nestor. 
For from the battle far aloof drawn up 

30 Upon the surfy sea shore were their ships : 

For them the foremost to the plain they had drawn, 

And bv them at the sterns had built the wall : 

For w T ide although it was, yet could the beach 

No-wise hold all the galleys ; and for room 

The men were straitened. Wherefore side by side, 

Sterns up like battlements, they had draw 7 n their galleys, 



BOOK a. 



377 



35 And filled therewith the whole sea-bank's wide gap, 

All that the headland points shut in together. 

So coming in close comp'ny were these chiefs, 

Leaning on spear, wishing to see the fight 

And din of battle : but within their breasts 

The spirit was grieved : and now the old Nestor met them, 
40 And in the Achaians' breasts he alarmed the spirit : 

Yet thus lord Agamemnon with loud voice 

Accosted him : " Nestor, son of Neleus, 

I Great Glory thou of Achaians ! why hast left 

' The slaughterous fight behind, and why come hither? 

I I fear lest unto me shall mighty Hector 

1 Now bring his word to pass, as on a time 
45 ' Haranguing 'mongst the Trojans he held forth, 

1 TJiat from our galleys back again to Ilion 

- Not would he go, till first he had set our ships 

1 Ablaze with fire, and slain e'en us as well. 

1 E'en so did He hold forth : and now his words 

' Are here all on accomplishment. Alas ! 

1 Sure now yet other fair-greaved Argives also 
50 ' Are harbouring wrath against me in their hearts, 

1 E'en as Achilles does, and have no will 

' To fight before our ship-sterns !" Then the horseman 

Gerenian Nestor answered him forthwith : 

" Indeed all this at least is ready shaped, 

' And not might lofty-thundering Zeus himself 

' Now otherwise contrive it; for down-fallen 
55 ( Already is the wall, wherein we trusted, 

' Both for our galleys and ourselves, to have 

1 A fence unbreachable : and now incessant, 

1 Without a let, beside our nimble ships 

1 Do they maintain the fight : nor mightst thou ken, 



378 THE ILIAD. XIV. 

1 Spying how sharp soe'er, now from which quarter 
1 The Achaian troops are routed and bewildered ; 

60 ' So pell-mell are they slaughtered ; and to heaven 
'The battle-shout goes up. Yet ponder We, 
i How may these matters end, if haply thought 
' Shall any-wise avail : but to be plunging 
' Into the fight I counsel not for us : 
' For no-wise ought the wounded to be fighting." 
Whereat the chief of chieftains, Agamemnon, 

65 Thus answered him : " Nestor, whereas they fight 
i Close to the ship-sterns, and the builded wall 
1 Has not availed, nor ever a whit the trench, 
' At which the Danaans underwent much toil, 
' And hoped at heart they sure would be a fence 
1 Unbreachable, both for themselves and ships ; 
1 So unto mighty Zeus it must, I ween, 

70 ' Be pleasant, that the Achaians perish here, 
1 Inglorious, far from Argos. For indeed 
" I knew, when with a ready heart and willing 
' He helped the Danaan side : and now I know, 
' How that all equal with the happy gods 
* He holds our foes in honour, and has fettered 
' Our hands and bodily strength. Yet come ye now, 

75 ' Comply we all at once, as I would say ; 

' Haul we our ships, all those which lie drawn up 

' Foremost beside the sea, and launch we them 

' Into the vasty deep, and there at anchor 

' In open sea let 's moor them, till the coming 

' Of holy Night ; if only then the Trojans 

' Shall stay from fight, when haply might we launch 

80 ' E'en all our galleys : for no manner of shame 
i Is in escaping mischief, though by night. 



book a. 



379 



95 



100 



1 "lis better, one should flee away forsooth 

1 And 'scape from mischief than be caught. " — Hereat, 

Odusseus ever-ready eyed him grimly, 

And thus accosted him : " Atreides !— how, 

1 What manner of word here 'scaped thy fence of teeth? 

1 Mischievous ! 'Would that o'er some sorry host 

' Thou hadst command, and wast not chief o'er Us ; 

1 To whom yea Zeus has giv'n to achieve hard wars 

^From our youth up, e'en to old age, until 

' We every one shall perish ! Art thou then 

1 So fain to quit the Trojans' broad-w 7 ayed Town, 

1 For sake whereof we suffer many a trouble? 

1 Hush ! Let none other of the Achaians hear 

1 Suchlike advice, which never from his mouth 

1 Would any man let pass, who in his heart 

1 Has knowledge how to speak to wholesome purpose, 

' And is a sceptre-wielding king, and whom 

6 So many troops obey, as here o'er Argives 

( Dost Thou bear chief command. But utterly 

1 Now do I scorn thy thoughts, as hast thou spoken ; 

1 Who bidst, when battle and war-shout has begun, 

1 To haul our trim-benched galleys to the sea ; 

1 Whereby the wishes of the Trojans, mast'ring 

1 Already as they are, may come to pass 

1 Yet more and more ; and utter ruin lean 

1 Eeadier to sink on Us : for sure the Achaians 

' Will not maintain the fighting while the ships 

' Are hauled to sea ; but will be looking round, 

1 And quit the battle. Then would this thy counsel, 

' chieftain of the hosts, indeed be hurtful ! " 

Him then the chief of chieftains Agamemnon 

Thus answered : " Odusseus ! much at heart 



380 THE ILIAD. XIV. 

4 By thy severe rebuke thou touchest me : 

105 4 But / bid not the Aehaians' sons to haul 

1 Their trim-benched ships to sea, against their will. 
' Yet now, 'would were there some one, young or old, 
4 Would tell us of some plan more ehoice than this ; 
1 Sure glad thereof were I." Anon spake also 
The doughty Diomed amongst them thus : 

110 u The man 's at hand : no long time shall we seek, 
1 If but ye might comply : and with ill will 
4 Be ye not, any one, in wrath against me, 
4 For that by birth I 'm youngest here among you : 
1 Yet from a noble sire I also boast 
1 My race ; from Tydeus ; whom a mound of earth 
1 Has covered up at Thebes. For sprang from Portheus 

115 ' Three faultless sons ; and at steep Calydon 
4 And Pleuron they abode, Melas, and Agrius, 
'And third, my father's father, the horseman Oineus : 
And eminent amongst them was he in prowess. 
1 Now there dwelt He : my sire howe'er went forth 
' Roaming about, then settled him in Argos. 

120 ' For so, I ween, willed Zeus and all the gods. 
1 One of Adrastus' daughters then he married, 
4 And occupied a house of wealthy living, 
' And corn-lands bearing wheat he had in plenty, 
4 And ample orchards of set plants beside : 
' Much cattle had he too ; and in the spear 
4 He excelled the Achaians all : belike ye 've heard 

125 ' All this, for 'tis the truth. So may ye indeed 
4 Not think me, at least by race, a sorry weakling, 
' And lightly esteem the matter I declare, 
' If haply well I speak. Come then ! Let's go 
' Towards the battle,— -of necessity, 



book B. 381 

' Wounded although : then there indeed aloof 

1 Beyond the reach of darts, we '11 keep from fighting, 

130 ' Lest wound on wound perchance one might receive : 
1 But others will we exhort and urge them on, 
1 Those who this long time, gratifying their mood, 
1 Stand yet aloof and fight not." Spake he thus : 
And ear they read'ly gave him, and complied :. 
So went they on their way, and on before them 
Went Agamemnon, chieftain of the chiefs. 

135 Meanwhile, the far-famed Shaker of the Earth 
Kept not a blind-fold watch, but unto them 
He came, in fashion of an ancient man : 
Anon he seized Atreides Agamemnon 
By his right hand, and thus accosted him 
And spake these winged words : " Sure, Atreides, 
1 Now is Achilles' baneful heart, I ween, 

140 ' Kejoicing in his bosom, as he looks 

1 On the Argives' rout and slaughter : for in Him 

' No understanding is there, never a whit : 

' But He, —so Let him perish ! and may the god 

' Bring him to mock'ry ! But the happy gods 

1 Are not yet wroth with thee quite utterly ; 

' But sure, I ween, the Trojans' chiefs and guardians 

145 ' Shall make the broad plain dusty yet; and Thou 
1 Shalt look upon them, as they flee away, 
c From ships and camp-huts, to the Town." So saying 
With mighty shout he rushed along the plain. 
Loud as nine thousand or ten thousand men, 
Meeting together for the shock of Ares, 
All shout in battle ; even such mighty voice 

150 Now did the king who Shakes the Earth send forth 
From out his chest ; and shot a mighty strength 



382 THE ILIAD. XIV. 

Into the heart of each and all the Achaians, 
To battle and to fight unceasingly. 
Meanwhile, from forth Olympus' upper peak 
Gold-enthroned Here with her eyes looked on, 
As there she stood ; and straightway recognized 

155 Him, her own brother born and husband's brother, 
Hasting about the man-ennobling battle ; 
And glad she was at heart. Anon she looked 
At Zeus down sitting on the topmost crest 
Of many -fount ained Ida : but at heart 
Hateful to Her was he become : whereat, 
The large-eyed lady Here forthwith pondered 

160 How might she throughly cheat the understanding 
Of iEgis-beariDg Zeus : and to her mind 
This plan appeared the best ; to deck herself 
In comely tire, and go forthwith to Ida ; 
If haply so he might be won by love 
And long to sleep beside her for her beauty ; 
Then on his eyelids would she pour down slumber 

165 Careless and soft, and on his piercing wits. 
So now awav forth hied she to her chamber, 
"Which her dear son, Hephaistos, erst had built her 
And fitted to the post3 thereof strong doors 
With secret key : and never another god 
Might ope that chamber : thither entered she, 
And shut the splendid doors : first with ambrosia 

170 All soil she washed from off her lovely skin, 
And 'nointed her with olive oil, ambrosial, 
Sweet, the which had she, full of dainty fragrance : 
The scent whereof, if 't were but shaken about 
Within Jove's brazen-floored abode, 'twould reach 
Quite both to earth and heaven : now when herewith 



book H. 383 

'Nointed had She her comely skin, and combed 

Her flowing hair, then with her hands she braided 

Her wavy shining locks, ambrosial, comely 

Upon her deathless head. Now a robe she donned 

Fit for her wear, ambrosial, which Athene 

Deftly, with rare and curious art, had wrought her, 

And laid thereon much broidery : at her bosom 

The robe she buckled on with golden brooches. 

A girdle too, fringed with a hundred tassels, 

She girded on : then ear-rings, richly wrought, 

Gemmed with three drops, she put upon her ears, 

Into the well-pierced lobes thereof; and forth 

Did beam a goodly grace. And o'er her head 

The fair of goddesses next veiled herself 

With beauteous, new-made kerchief; and 'twas bright, 

Like as the sun. Then comely shoes she bound 

Beneath her glossy feet. Now all her dress 

When thus about her body had she donned, 

From forth her chamber went she on her way : 

To her forthwith then called she Aphrodite, 

Aside from all the gods, and thus addressed her : 

190 " Wilt thou, dear daughter, yield me kind compliance 
1 Now in a matter, whereof would I tell thee ? 
* Or wouldst thou say me no, wroth in thy heart 
1 On this account, — for that I help the Danaans, 
1 While Thou dost so the Trojans?" — Whereupon 
Then answered her Jove's daughter Aphrodite : 
" Here, daughter of the mighty Chronos, 

195 ' Goddess august ! say what thou hast in mind ; 
' And my heart bids me do forthwith, if do it 
' I can at least, and if it may be done." 
Whereat the lady Here, wily-minded, 



384 THE ILIAD. XIV. 

Addressed her : " Give me now Desire and Love, 
1 Wherewith subduest Thou all deathless gods 
1 And death-doomed humankind : for forth I go 

200 ' To visit bounteous Earth's far ends, even Ocean, 

' The gods' great Source, and Tethys, nursing-mother : 
' For kindly in their halls they brought me up 
1 And took me of my mother Ehea, and nursed me, 
1 What time far-seeing Zeus hurled Chronos down 
c Under the Earth and 'neath the barren Sea. 

205 ' To visit them I go ; and doubtful strife 
* Betwixt them would I do away : for now 
1 This long time past they keep themselves asunder 
' Each from the other's bed and love, since wrath 
1 Into their heart has entered. If perchance 
' I might by words prevail on their dear heart 
' And win them to their marriage-bed again 

210 ' In love together,— haply then for ever 

1 Both dear to them should I be called, and honoured." 

Hereat the queen of Smiles, fair Aphrodite 

Thus answered her : "I may not, nor is 't seemly, 

' At this thy word say no, for in the arms 

' Of Zeus the bravest art thou wont to sleep." 

She spake ; and from her bosom straight undid 

215 Her girdle, dight with needle-work, embroidered ; 
Wherein were her enchantments all inwrought. 
Therein was Love, and therein was Desire, 
And therein fond converse, allurement soft, 
Such as beguiles the mind of even the wise : 
This put she into her hands, and spake this word 
And uttered it aloud : " Here take this girdle, 

220 ' Broidered, wherein is every charm inwrought, 
' And don it 'neath thy bosom : and, methinks, 



99, 



book B. 385 

' Thou 'It not return, without success at least, 

' Whate'er desirest in thy heart." She spake : 

Whereat the large-eyed lady Here smiled : 

And smiling donned the band beneath her bosom. 

Home now went She, Jove's daughter, Aphrodite : 

And Here darted forth in haste, and left 

Olympus' peak ; just lighted on Pieria 

And on Emathia's lovely land, and hied 

Along the Thracian horsemen's snowy mountains, 

The topmost crests thereof; yet with her feet 

The ground she did not reach. Then forth from Athos 

She trod the billowy deep, and came to Lemnos, 

230 The realm of godlike Thoas ; where she met 
Sleep, the twin-brother unto Death : then fast 
Clung she upon his hand and spake this word, 
And gave it utterance loud : " Sleep, at once 
' Lord both of all the gods and all mankind ! 
1 If now indeed at any time thou hast listened 
' To word of mine, so yet even now comply ; 

235 ' And unto thee would I acknowledge thanks 

' For all my days : those two bright eyes of Zeus 
1 Under his brows, Lull me them fast asleep, 

* Soon as in love shall I have lain beside him ! 

( And gifts I '11 give thee ; a goodly chair, of gold, 
' Imperishable ever : and Hephaistos, 
1 My halt-foot son, with cunning skill would make it, 
240 i And put thereto a footstool underneath, 

1 Whereon thou mightst, when revelling at banquet, 

* Lay up thy glossy feet." Whereat then spake 
Deep-dulling Sleep and answered her : " Here, 
' Goddess august, daughter of mighty Chronos, 

i Easily any other one forsooth 

25 



386 THE ILIAD. XIV. 

' Of all the ever-living gods could I 

245 i Sure lull to sleep, yea even the river-streams 
' Of Ocean, who of all things is the Source : 
' But not come near Zeus Chronides would I, 
' Nor lull him into slumber, did he not 
1 Himself at least so bid me. For already 
1 Wiser indeed has thy behest made Me, 

250 ' That day, when he, # the high-souled son of Zeus, 
1 Was sailing home from Ilion, when he had sacked 
'The Trojans' Town. Sure then did I, deep-dulling, 
1 O'erwhelm and lull to sleep the mind of Zeus, 
1 The iEgis-bearer ; thou, meanwhile, at heart 
i Wast plotting mischief 'gainst his son ; and blasts 
' Of troublous winds didst raise upon the deep ; 

255 i And then afar to Cos' well-peopled isle 

1 From all his friends thou carriedst him away : 

1 Anon the Sire waked up, and was full wroth, 

1 And hurled the gods to and fro about his palace ; 

' And beyond all me specially he sought, 

' And would have thrown me, past all ken, from heaven 

' Down on the deep ; but Night, who tames both gods 

260 ' And mankind, rescued me ; for unto Her 
1 I fled and sued for aid : whereat he paused, 
' How wroth soe'er, through dread of doing disfavor 
1 Unto swift-passing Night. Yet now again, 
' This hard task furthermore thou bidst me do." 
Straight answered him the large-eyed lady Here : 
" And wherefore bent on these thoughts in thy heart 

265 ' Art thou, Sleep ? Dost think that far-seeing Zeus 
' Would fain defend the Trojans in such measure, 
1 As then about his own son, Heracles, 

* Heracles. 



book E. 387 

1 He was in wrath ? — But come ; and unto thee 

I One of the younger Graces for thy consort 

I I '11 give in marriage, her for whom thou longest 
' Evermore daily, fair Pasithee." 

270 She spake : and Sleep was glad, and said in answer : 
" Now, come then, by the inviolable water 
* Of Styx, Swear unto me ; and with one hand, 
'This hand, lay hold upon the bounteous Earth, 
' And with this other upon the glistering Sea, 
' That so may all the gods below, round Chronos, 
i Unto us both be witnesses, — that sure 

275 i One of the younger Graces wilt thou give 
' To me in marriage, her for whom I long 
' Evermore daily, fair Pasithee/' 
He spake : whereat the goddess, white-armed Here 
Was nothing slack to obey ; but as he bade, 
She sware, and called by name on all the gods 
In Tartaros # below, who are called the Titans. 

280 Now when she had sworn, and gone through ail her oath, 
The twain set forth, wrapping themselves in haze, 
And left the Town of Lemnos, and of Imbros, 
With rapid speed accomplishing their journey ; 
And soon they came to many-fountained Ida, 
Mother of game, and to the peak of Lecton, 
Where first they left the sea, and trod dry land ; 

285 And the utmost forest neath their feet did quake. 

Now here Sleep stayed, before Jove's eyes did see him, 
And climbed upon a pine-tree, passing high, 
The loftiest one that then was growing on Ida, 
And reached through lower air to heaven above : 
There, thickly-covered by the pine-tree branches, 

* A dark abyss, in which Chronos, the Titans, etc., were imprisoned. See viii. 13. 



388 THE ILIAD. XIV. 

290 He sat him, like unto a clear-voiced bird, 

Which haunts the mountains, and which gods call " Chalets ;" 

But men, the " Night-jar.'" On, in haste, went Here 

To Gargaros, the top of lofty Ida ; 

And the cloud-gatherer Zeus beheld her coming. 

And soon as e'er he saw, so soon Desire 

Clouded his very wits, as much as ever 

295 When at the first in love they came together 

In wedlock, all without their parents' knowledge* 
Before her now he stood, and spake the word 
And uttered it aloud : " Wherefore so fast, 
' Here, from Olympus com'st thou hither ? 
'" And hast no horse and chariot by thee at hand 
" Whereon to mount." To him then lady Here 

300 With wiliness of thought spake thus : "I'm going* 
' To visit bounteous Earth's far ends, even Ocean, 
' The gods' great Source, and Tethys, nursing mother ; 
' Who kindly reared and nursed me in their halls. 

* To visit them I go, and doubtful strife 

c Betwixt them would I do away : for now 
305 ' This long time past they keep themselves asunder 
' Each from the other's bed and love ; since wrath 
6 Into their heart has entered. And my horses 
( At many-fountained Ida's mountain-foot 
6 Stand ready, o'er both wet and dry to bear me. 
6 But hither from Olympus now I'm come 
6 For sake of thee, on this account,— -lest wroth 
310 ' With me thereafter haply shouldst thou be, 

* If to the palace of the deep-flowing Ocean 

' In silence went I away." Straight answered her 
Cloud-gatherer Zeus, and said : "O Here ! thither 
6 Hie forth thou may'st e'en afterwards ; but come, 



book E. 389 

In love together bedward turn we now ; 
For never love for goddess, or for woman, 
Has in such flood, as now, o'erwhelmed and conquered 
The soul within my breast at any time ; 
Not when erewhile I loved Ixion's wife, 
Who bare Peirithoos, match to gods in counsel ; 
Nor when I loved the daughter of Acrisios, 
The coniely-ankled Danae, who bare 
Perseus, the most renowned of all mankind ; 
Neither when loved I far-famed Phoenix daughter, 
Who bare to me both godlike Rhadamanthys, 
And Minos ; neither when e'en Semele ; 
Nor when Alcmene, in the Town of Thebes ; 
She forsooth bare me a boy of sturdy heart, 
E'en Heracles ; and Semele brought forth, 
That source of joy to mortals, Dionysos : # 
Nor when I loved the fair-tressed queen Demeter ; 
Nor when the glorious Leto, nor thyself; 
As do I love thee now, and am o'ercome 
By sweet desire." Hereat, the lady Here 
With wily thought addressed him : " How, what word, 
Terriblest Chronides, is this thou say'st? 
If now for bed thou longest and love's dalliance 
On Ida's peaks, where all is plain in sight, 
How might it be, were any aye-living god 
To gaze upon us twain lying down asleep, 
And were to summon all the gods and shew them ? 
Never again, on rising up from bed, 
Could I, for my part, to thy halls return : 
Sure 'twere enough to make one wroth ! But if 
So would'st thou ; and it pleases thus thy heart ; 

* Bacchus. 



390 THE ILIAD. XIV. 

' Thou hast a marriage-chamber, which thy son 
4 Hephaistos made, and fitted close-wrought doors 

340 * Unto the posts : thither let's go and sleep ; 

' Since bedding pleases thee." Straight answered her 

Cloud-gatherer Zeus and said : " Fear not, Hero, 

' That any, whether gods or men, shall see us : 

' A golden cloud will I about thee put 

' So thick ; therethrough not see us might e'en Helios, 

345 ' Whose eye for looking on is, yea, the sharpest. " 
So saying, the son of Chronos forthwith clasped 
His consort in his arms ; and under them 
The sacred Earth put forth fresh-budding grass ; 
The lotos, gemmed with dew ; the saffron crocus ; 
And hyacinth, close-curled and soft, which kept them 
Up from the earth : hereon to sleep they laid them, 

350 And o'er them wrapt they a beauteous golden cloud ; 
Wherefrom fell glistening dew-drops. Thus o'ercome 
Was he, the Sire, by slumber and by love, 
And calmly slept on topmost Gargaros ; 
Clasping his consort in his arms. Meanwhile, 
Deep-dulling Sleep ran forth upon his way 
Unto the Achaians' ships, to tell the tidings 

355 To him Who Compasses the Land, the Earth-Shaker : 
To whom he now drew near, and spake forthwith 
These winged words : " Unto the Danaans' aid 
1 Now, Poseidon, haste with forward soul, 
' And give Them glory, short-lifed though it be, 
f While Zeus is yet asleep ; for wrapped have I 
1 Eound him a soft deep slumber : and to bed 

360 i And love has Here won him o'er and wheedled." 
So saying, away went he to the noble hosts 
Of humankind, but upstirred Him yet more 



BOOK E. 



391 



To aid the Danaans. So among the foremost 

Far forward straight he sprang and cheered them on : 

" Argives ! and do we indeed again give up 

365 ' The mastery unto Hector, son of Priam, 

1 For him to seize our ships and win the glory ? 
' Yet so thinks He forsooth and makes his boast ; 
1 For that Achilles bides yet, wroth at heart, 
' Beside his hollow ships : but not for him 
1 Shall there be muck regret, if all we others 
1 Bestir ourselves to fight, each one for other. 

370 i But come ; comply we all, as I would say : 
1 Don we our shields, the largest and the best 
4 In all the host, and cover we our heads 

* With our all-blazing helmets, and in hand 

4 Take we these longest spears, and go we forth ; 
1 And I '11 be leader : sure then never a whit 
1 Shall Hector son of Priam stand fast, methinks, 
375 ' All eager though he be. And whosoever 
s Is haply a warrior staunch in fight, and has 
1 A small shield on his shoulder, Let him give it 

• To a weaker man, and Let him arm himself 

' With larger buckler." Spake he thus : whereat 

They gave him ready hearing, and obeyed. 

Then marshalled were they by the kings themselves, — 

380 Wounded although,— Tydeides, and Odusseus, 
And by the son of Atreus, Agamemnon : 
Who went to all, and changed their fighting gear ; 
The brave put on brave harness, and they gave 
Worse to the worse. Now when about their body 
They had donned the glittering brass, they went their way, 
And he Who Shakes the Earth went on before them, — 

385 Poseidon, holding in his brawny hand 



892 THE ILIAD. XIV. 

A long-edged awful sword, like flash of lightning ; 
'Gainst which one may not mix in dismal fight ; 
But Fear does hold men back. On the other side 
Bright Hector too did marshal all his Trojans. 
Then was indeed the dreadest strife of battle 
Sure strained yet further by blue-haired Poseidon, 

390 And by bright Hector, one on side of Trojans, 
And the other for Achaians. And the sea 
Washed up to the Argives' camp-huts and their ships 
Whereat with mighty shout met they in battle. 
Neither so loud against the dry land bellows 
The sea's big wave, when uproused from the deep 

.395 By Boreas' troublous blowing from the North ; 
Nor yet so loud in mountain-glens the crackling 
Of blazing fire, when vehement forth it bursts 
To burn the forest ; nor against high oaks 
Of lofty foliage howls the blast so loud, 
When most in uproar mightily it rages ; 

400 As was the cry of Trojans and Achaians, 

Terribly shouting, now they attacked each other. 
Now first bright Hector darted with his lance 
At Ajax, for right straight he fronted him : 
Nor missed he his mark, just where upon his breast 
Lay the two leathern straps ; one of his buckler, 

405 And the other of his silver-studded sword : 
Together thus his tender flesh they shielded : 
But Hector was distressed, that thus in vain 
From forth his hand had fled his nimble dart ; 
And back towards his comrades' troop he hied him, 
To escape a violent doom. At him retreating 
Huge Telamonian Ajax aimed forthwith 

410 With a large pebble ; for of such full many, 



BOOK S. 



393 



Stays of the nimble ships, were rolled about 
Among the fighters' feet ; so one of these 
He upheaved and hit therewith the foeman's breast 
Above bis buckler's rim, close to his neck : 
So hurled he and sent it like a spinning-top ; 
And all along it whirled. And as an oak 
15 Falls headlong, root and branch, beneath the force 
Of father Zeus, and awful smell of brimstone 
Eises therefrom ; and never a whit of boldness 
Holds fast with him who haps, hard by, to see it ; 
For hard to endure is great Jove's thunderbolt; 
So to the ground swift fell the might of Hector 
Down in the dust ; and from his hand forthwith 

t'20 He dropt his lance ; yet on him clung his buckler, 
And helmet ; and about him clanged his harness, 
Inwrought with brass. Whereat with mighty shout 
The Achaians' sons ran hurrying up, in hope 
To drag him off, and launched thick shower of spears : 
Yet none could wound nor hit the peoples' pastor ; 
For soon about him came his choicest ones, 
Polydamas, ^Eneas, prince Agenor, 
Blemishless Glaucus also, and Sarpedon, 
The Lycians' chieftain : and not one of the others 
Was unconcerned for Him : but good round bucklers 
They held steadfast before him ; and his comrades 
Lifted him in their arms and carried him 
Forthwith from out the turmoil, till he reached 

130 His nimble horses which, with fair-wrought chariot 
And charioteer, were standing ready for him, 
Out of the fight and battle, in the rear : 
Him then full heavily groaning bare they off 
Towards the Town. But when they reached the ford 



394 THE ILIAD. XIV. 

Of eddying Xanthus' comely-flowing river, 
Whom deathless Jove begat, there from the chariot 

435 They put him on the ground, and down upon him 
They sprinkled water : now again breathed He," 
And with his eyes looked up : then set himself 
Upon his knees ; and spat forth cloudy blood : 
Then backward to the ground again he sank, 
And gloomy night straight covered both his eyes ; 
For by the bolt his spirit was yet subdued. 

440 Meanwhile the Achaians, when they saw prince Hector 
Going away, they sprang upon the Trojans, 
Yet fiercer, and bethought themselves of battle. 
Far foremost now Oileus' son, swift Ajax, 
With beechen spear rushed on and wounded Satnius, 
Enopides, whom by the banks of Satnis 
A faultless water-nymph brought forth to Enops, 

445 While tending there his beeves. So drawing nigh, 
Oileus' spear-famed son now wounded him, 
Right in the flank ; whereat was He upset ; 
And round him straightway Trojans and Achaians 
Joined sturdy battle. Anon up came to his aid 
Polydamas, bold wielder of the spear, 
Panthoos' son ; and wounded Prothoenor, 

450 Son of the doughty Areilycos, 

On his right shoulder : and the weighty spear 
Held on quite through his shoulder ; and i' th' dust 
He fell and grappled with the earth : then shouted 
Polydamas aloud, and gloried o'er him 
Astoundingly : " Now sure this time the dart 
' Of mighty-souled Panthoides, methinks, 

455 ' Has leapt not idle from his sturdy hand ; 

' But in his flesh has some one of the Achaians 



book S. 395 

'Taken good care on't : and he'll down, methinks, 
1 Leaning thereon, into the abode of Hades !" 
He spake : and at his glorying thus there rose 
Grief 'mongst the Argives : but he stirred most chiefly 
The soul of Ajax, even the doughty son 

460 Of Telamon ; for nearest Him he fell : 
So at him in retreating swift he darted 
With glittering spear. Whereat Polydarnas, 
Sidelong skipped He, and so 'scaped gloomy death : 
But 'twas received by old Antenor's son, 
Archilochus : for purposed had the gods 
Death unto Him forsooth. So him it smote, 

465 Right in the joining of the head and neck, 

At the utmost spine-joint : and the muscles, both, 
It severed : and far forward sank his head, 
His mouth and nostrils, sooner to the ground 
Than even his legs and knees as down he fell. 
Anon loud shouted Ajax now in turn 
To blemishless Polydamas : " Consider ! 

470 ' And tell me true, Polvdamas ! This man, — 
i Is he not worthy to be slain in quittance 
1 For Prothoenor ? Unto me he appears 
1 Not indeed craven, nor of craven race ! 
( But brother sure of the horseman old Antenor, 
( Or son ; for unto Him in race, methinks, 
1 He 's like most nearly." Spake he thus, knowing well : 

475 And grief gat hold upon the Trojans' hearts. 
Then Acamas bestrode his fallen brother ; 
And wounded with his lance lord Promachos, 
Boeotian champion, who did think, by foot 
To drag the body away : but Acamas 
O'er Him now gloried wondrously, loud shouting : 



396 THE ILIAD. XIY. 

" Argives, ill-doomed ! insatiate still of boasts ! 

480 i Sure not with Us, alone at least, shall be 

4 The toil and sorrow, but sometimes even You 

4 Shall thus be slain. Look ye, how 'neath my spear 

' Your champion Promachos is bowed and sleeping, 

' So that the quittance for my brother slain 

4 Is nowise long unpaid : so prays forsooth 

' E'en any man soe'er to leave behind him 

485 i A kinsman in his halls to avenge his ruin." 
He spake : and at his glorying thus there rose 
Distress among the Achaians : but most chiefly 
He stirred the soul of doughty Peneleus ; 
Who straightway rushed at Acamas : but He 
Awaited not lord Peneleus' attack ; 
Whereat instead he hit Ilioneus, 

490 The son of Phorbas, wealthy in flocks ; whom Hermes 
Loved most of all the Trojans, and had given him 
Ample possessions : but an only child 
The mother bare him, e'en Ilioneus : 
Him 'neath his eyebrow, in the roots of the eye, 
Did Peneleus now wound, and clean therefrom 
Thrust the apple out ; and outright through his eye 

495 Forth went the spear, and through the nape of neck : 
Then spreading both his arms he sank and sat ; 
But Peneleus drew forth his keen-edged sword 
And smote him in mid neck ; and to the earth 
Struck off his head, with helm and all together ; 
For in his eye the weighty spear was yet : 
Then holding up the pate, like poppy-head, 

500 He shewed it to the Trojans, and outspake, 

Thus glorying loud : " Trojans ! I pray you tell 
i Gallant Ilioneus' dear sire and mother 



book H. 397 

1 To mourn within their halls : for, in like sort, 
1 Also the wife of Alegenor's son, 
* Our Fromachos, will have no joyous face 
6 At seeing her husband back again, whene'er 

505 ' Haply may we Achaian youths return 

' On board our ships from Troy's coast home again/' 
He spake : whereat pale Fear gat sudden hold 
On all of Them : and each 'gan peering round, 
How might he 'scape sheer ruin. Now, ye Muses, 
Dwellers on lofty Olympus, tell me who, 
First of the Achaians, now took bloody spoib 

510 From slaughtered foemen, since the famed Earth-shaker 
Turned thus the tide of battle. Foremost Ajax f 
The son of Telamon, smote Hyrtios 
Gyrtiades, the brave-souled Mysians' leader. 
Antilochus then slaughtered and despoiled 
Phalces and Mermeros. Meriones, 
He killed outright both Morys and Hippotion. 

515 And Teucer slew meanwhile both Prothoon, 
And Periphetes. Then the son # of Atreus 
Smote Hyperenor, pastor of his people, 
Eight in the flank, wherethrough the weapon rent 
And tore away his inwards : and the soul 
Sped forth all hurried through the gaping wound ;. 
And Darkness overwhelmed his eyes. But Ajax^ 

520 Oileus' nimble son, slew most : for none 
Was equal unto Him in speed a-foot 
For following after foemen fleeing away,. 
When 'mongst them ever a god called forth Dismay. 

* Menelaus ; see xvii., 24,. etc. 



398 THE ILIAD. XV. 



ARGUMENT OF THE FIFTEENTH BOOK. O. 

Zeus awakes, and sees the Trojans worsted ; whereupon he chides Here ; 
sends Iris with a message to Poseidon, to bid him keep away from the 
fight ; and despatches Apollo to encourage Hector : the Achaians are 
turned back in disorder ; but TelamOnian Ajax kills many of the foe in 
their attempt at setting fire to the Argive ships. 

OMICRON: how 'gainst Here and Poseidon 
Zeus is full wroth : the rallying of the Trojans. 



Now when across both palisade and trench 
In flight they had passed, and many had been bowed down 
Under the Danaans' hands, — here did the Trojans, 
Dismayed and pale through terror, come to a halt 
And stayed them by their chariots. Zeus, meanwhile, 
5 Woke from beside the gold-enthroned Here 
Upon the heights of Ida : up then starting, 
He stood, and saw the Trojans and Achaians, 
Those indeed driven wild with fear, and these, 
The Argives, in their rear sore pressing on ; 
And 'mongst them lord Poseidon. And he saw 
Hector out-lying on the plain ; and sitting 
10 Were comrades round ; and he, the while, was panting 
With difficult breathing, senseless, spitting blood : 
For not by the Argives' feeblest was he wounded. 
Now at sight of him the sire of men and gods 



BOOK O. 



399 



Felt pity ; and with terrible grim look 
Spake thus to Here : " Sure now of a truth, 
Unmanageable Here, a wily trick 
Of Thine has made prince Hector cease from battle, 
And has dismayed his troops. In sooth I know not, 
But that again perchance thou first shalt reap 
The fruit of mischievous contrivances, 
And thee I '11 scourge with stripes. Dost not remember, 
When hanging wast thou up, and from thy feet 
I let two anvils hang; and chain of gold, 
Unbreakable, I cast about thine arms ? 
And thou didst hang in upper air of heaven, 
x\nd in the clouds ; whereat on lofty Olympus 
The gods were full of wrath ; yet were not able 
To approach and loose thee : for whome'er I caught, 
Sure would I take and hurl him from my threshold 
Till faint he reached the earth ; nathless, e'en so, 
Fierce wrath for godlike Heracles' distress 
Forsook not Me ; for that with plots of mischief 
Didst thou, together with the North-wind, Boreas, 
Raise hurricanes, and o'er the barren deep 
Him didst thou send, and then thou carriedst him 
Away unto the fair-lying isle of Cos. 
Him indeed I set free from thence, and brought him 
Back again, after toils although full many, 
Unto horse-pasturing Argos. Of these matters 
Thee will I put in mind again, that so 
Thou may'st from wiles desist ; until thou seest 
Whether thy love and wedlock aught may avail thee, 
When for such dalliance com'st thou from the gods, 
And thus beguilest me therein ! " He said : 
Whereat the large-eyed lady Here shuddered, 



400 THE ILIAD. XV. 

And spake in winged words and thus addressed him : 

" Hereto Let Earth and vasty Heaven above, 

1 And the down-flowing water of the Styx, 

' Be witness (for the mightiest oath is this 

' And the most awful 'mongst the happy gods) ; 

' And thine own sacred head, and our own couch, 

40 ' The lawful marriage-bed of our two selves, 

c By which indeed never would I swear lightly ; — 
1 Not through behest of mine does lord Poseidon, 
' Who Shakes the Earth, hurt Hector and his Trojans, 
1 And aid their foes : but his own heart, I ween, 
1 Urges and stirs him up ; and, seeing the Achaians 
1 Distressed beside their ships, he pities them, 

45 ' But I '11 exhort yea Him to go at once 

' Whithersoe'er, Cloud-wrapt, thou commandest." 
She said : then smiled the sire of men and gods, 
And spake these winged words and answered her : 
" If now indeed, my large-eyed lady Here, 
' Henceforth wouldst Thou, like-minded with myself, 

50 ' Sit 'mongst the Deathless, — then forsooth Poseidon, 
1 Fain otherwise howe'er so much, would turn 
' His mood soon round, unto thy heart and mine. 
' But if now in good truth thou speak'st and earnest,- 
' Unto the tribes of gods now hie thee, and summon 

55 ' Hither forthwith both Iris, and Apollo 

i Famed for the Bow : and go shall she to the host 

' Of brass-mailed Argives, and tell king Poseidon 

' To quit the fight and go to his own abodes : 

' And to the battle shall Apollo Phoebus 

' Cheer Hector on, and into him breathe fresh spirit, 

60 \ And cause him to forget the pains, which now 
' At heart distress him ; then among the Achaians 



BOOK O. 401 

4 Up shall he stir weak flight, and turn them back : 
4 And let them flee, and 'mongst the many-oared ships 
. ' Of Peleus' son Achilles let them fall : 

1 And He shall then upstir his friend Patroclus ; 

65 ' Who, when he has killed full many an able youth, 

1 And mongst them mine own son the prince Sarpedon, — 

4 Shall by the spear be slain by brilliant Hector, 

' In front of Ilion : and in wrath thereat, 

4 Shall prince Achilles forth and slaughter Hector. 

1 Thenceforth indeed a rallying in pursuit, 

4 Continual from the ships, will I contrive, 

70 c On ever, e'en until by Athene's counsels 
' The Achaians shall have taken lofty Ilion. 
6 But, theretofore, neither shall I forsooth 
4 Forego mine anger, nor will I permit 
1 Any of all the Deathless here to help 
4 The Danaans, till at least has that desire 
4 Of Peleus' son been brought to pass ; as erst 

75 ' I promised him, and gave my assenting nod, 
4 That day, when of my knees the goddess Thetis 
6 Laid hold, beseeching me to grace with honour 
4 Her son, the city-wasting chief, Achilles." 
He spake : nor was the white-armed goddess Here 
Slack to obey : but down from Ida's heights 
Forth unto lofty Olympus hied she away. 

80 And as up sudden starts the thought of a man, 
Who, having passed o'er many a land, thinks thus 
In his wise mind : <( ' Would were I there, or there ; " 
And eagerly he 's bent on many a purpose ; 
So all in hasty speed the lady Here 
Now flew away, and came to lofty Olympus ; 
And went unto the deathless gods, assembled 

26 



402 THE ILIAD. XV. 

85 Within the court of Zeus ; where all rose up 
At sight of her, and greeted her with goblets. 
She howe'er let be all, save she received 
The cup from fair-cheeked Themis, for foremost 
Running came she to meet her, and outspake 
Accosting her in winged words : " Here, 
90 ' Wherefore art come, and like one all distraught ? 
1 Is 't that the son of Chronos, he thy consort, 
' Has indeed frighted thee?" Then answered her 
The white-armed goddess Here : " Ask me not 
' These things, goddess Themis : e'en thyself 
1 Dost know what hard and haughty manner of spirit 
' Is His : but o'er the gallant feast take Thou 
95 ' The foremost place in hall among the gods ; 

' Then yea midst all the Deathless shalt thou hear 
' What heinous deeds of mischief Zeus betokens : 
' Yet no- wise glad, methinks, will be the heart 
' Of all alike, whether 'mongst men or gods, 
1 Howe'erso merry in mood one banquets now." 

100 So saying, the lady Here sat her down r 

The gods howe'er throughout the court of Zeus 

Were heavy at heart : anon with lips laughed She ; 

Yet not unfolded was her front meanwhile 

O'er her dark brows : and now before them all 

Outspake she, in displeasure with herself: 

" Fools that w r e are, who witless rage 'gainst ZeuSc, 

105 ' Or still attempt, whether with word or force, 
' To go near Him, and to keep Him in check : 
' Aloof sits He, and takes nor heed nor care : 
' For 'mongst the deathless gods He thinks to be, 
' Far beyond all, the best in strength and might. 
' So bear, whatever distress he haply sends 



book O. 403 

' On any amongst you : ah, I think that now 

110 ' Already woe has been contrived for Ares : 
1 For perished in the battle has his son, 
' His best-beloved 'mongst men, Ascalaphus ; 
' And him does mighty Ares claim as His/' 
She said : whereat, with hands palm down, did Ares 
Straight smite himself on both his lusty thighs, 
And spake o'erwhelmed with grief: " Now be not wroth 

115 ' With me, ye Dwellers in Olympian halls, 
' If to the Achaian ships I go and take 
i Revenge for slaying my son ; aye though my doom 
1 Were to be smitten by Jove's thunderbolt, 
' And to be laid together with the dead 
' Midst blood and dust." He spake ; and straightway bade 
Terror and Fear to put his horses to : 

120 And He meanwhile put on his glittering harness. 
Then sure against the Deathless had arisen 
Some further wrath and rancour, mightier yet 
And heavier too, from Zeus, had not Athene, 
In fear for all the gods, leapt sudden forth 
From porch, and left the throne whereon she sat ; 
And from his head then took she off his helmet, 

125 And buckler from his shoulders : and she snatched 
The brazen spear from out his sturdy hand, 
And set it bv : then thus accosted she 
The vehement Ares : " Mad ! crazed in wits ! 
i Deranged thou art ! Ears hast thou thus to hear ? 
' And is thy mind and sense of shame clean lost ? 
' Hear'st not, what says the white-armed goddess Here ? 

130 ' Who from Olympian Zeus is but now come. 
' Dost wish indeed thyself to fill up full 
' The measure of much woe ; and, grieved howeyer, 



404 THE ILIAD. XV. 

1 To return, e'en perforce, again to Olympus ; 

' And to engender for us each and all 

' A mighty mischief? For Hell straightway leave 

135 ' The lofty-hearted Trojans and Achaians, 
1 And to Olympus come will he, and drive 
Us in confusion ; and he'll seize on each 
1 One after other, whether guilty, or not. 
1 Wherefore I beg thee now to put away 
1 Wrath on thy son's account. For haply slain 
' Has been already a better one than he 

140 i For strength of arm, or soon one shall be slain : 
i And hard it is to rescue out of mischief 
i All Mankind's breed and progeny." So saying, 
She seated furious Ares on his throne. 
From out the court now Here called Apollo, 
And Iris, for among the deathless gods 

145 She 's messenger : and them she thus accosted, 
And spake in winged words : " Zeus bids ye both 
* Go unto Ida with your utmost speed : 
1 And when ye've come, and looked upon Jove's face, 
1 Do, whatsoe'er shall He exhort and bid." 
So saying, forthwith went she, the lady Here, 

150 Back to her throne, and sat : and darting forth 
Flew they, and came to many-fountained Ida, 
Mother of game : and far-seeing Chronides 
Sitting on topmost Gargaros they found, 
And round about him w r as a cloud of incense. 
So now before cloud-gatherer Zeus came they, 

155 And stood : but not with anger in his heart 

Looked he on Them, that quickly had they obeyed 
His consort's bidding : spake he now to Iris 
Foremost these winged words : " Hie, nimble Iris, 



book O. 405 

' Go quick, and tell all this to lord Poseidon ; 
' And Be thou not a lying* messenger : 

160 ' Bid him to cease from battle and fight and go 
' 'Mongst the gods' tribes, or to the sacred sea. 
1 And if to my behest he will not yield, 
1 But will thereof make light, then Let him see 
' In heart and soul, that he do nowise venture, 
' Strong howsoe'er, to bide my attack ; for much 

165 ' His better do I think to be in might, 

1 And earlier too in birth : but his dear heart 

' Recks not in saying he's equal unto Me, 

' At whom yea all do shudder." He spake : whereat, 

Not slack to obey was nimble Iris, footed 

With windy speed : and down from Ida's heights 

Forth towards sacred Ilion hied she away. 

170 And as when flies from clouds a shower of snow, 
Or of chill sleet, under the sweeping force 
Of Boreas, born of ether ; so swift Iris 
With tearing speed flew hastily along, 
And the famed Shaker of the Earth she approached, 
And thus accosted him : " A certain message 

175 ' For thee, Blue-haired Holder of the Earth, 
' Hither I bring from iEgis-bearing Zeus : 
' He bids thee cease from battle and fight, and go 
' 'Mongst the gods' tribes, or to the sacred sea. 
* And if to his behest thou wilt not yield, 
' But wilt thereof make light, — he threatens then 
' Hither to come himself and fight against thee ; 

180 i And thee he exhorts to steal away and shun 

' His hands, for much thy better does he think him 
' In might, and elder-born : but thy dear heart 
' Recks not in saying thou 'rt equal unto Him, 



406 THE ILIAD. XV. 



185 



190 



195 



200 



205 



* At whom yea all do shudder. " Unto her 

Then spake in heavy wrath the famed Earth-shaker : 
1 Rare ! sure, although brave, he speaks too proudly, 
If 'gainst my will he thinks by force to check 
Me who have equal honour ! For three brothers 
From Chronos are we sprung, whom Eheia bare, 
E'en Zeus and I, and Hades third, who reigns 
O'er those below : and all things into three 
Were parcelled out, and each of us by lot 
Then took his portion. I indeed obtained, 
On casting lots, the hoary sea for ever 
For my abode ; and Hades for his portion 
Obtained the murky realms of gloom ; and Zeus 
Obtained broad heaven in the upper air and clouds. 
And unto us all — the Earth and lofty Olympus 
Is commonable still ; wherefore I '11 walk 
Sure never a whit according to Jove's will ; 
But let him keep, how strong soe'er he be, 
In peace and quiet within his own third portion : 
And with his hands, no, no-wise Let him think 
To scare Me quite, as though I were a dastard. 
For better 'twere he attacked with terrible words 
Daughters and sons, whom he himself begat ; 
For list will they to his bidding, e'en perforce." 

Then answered him swift Iris, windy-footed : 
' Is 't thus, O Blue-haired Compasser of Earth, 
From thee to Zeus then do I take this message, 
At once both harsh and froward ? thou wilt sure turn 
Somewhat ? sure turnable are Brave ones' hearts. 
Thou know'st, how that the Avenging ones, the Erinyes, 
Always attend on Elders." Unto her 

Then spake Poseidon, Shaker of the Earth : 



BOOK O. 



407 



" Iris, right fitly, goddess, hast thou spoken 
1 This thine advice. Good, yea, it is indeed, 
1 When thus a messenger has fitting knowledge : 
' A strange distress howe'er is this that touches 
1 My heart and soul, whene'er with angry words 

J 10 ' He thinks to chide one having equal share, 
1 And destined unto an equal common lot. 
' But now indeed, though ashamed thereat, 1 11 yield : 
' Yet this I '11 tell thee, and threaten it in my heart, — 
i If, without will of mine and that of Here, 
' And of the Forager Athene, and Hermes, 
' And of the king Hephaistos, — he shall spare 

J15 ' The lofty Ilion, and shall not be willing 
1 Utterly to destroy it, and to give 
1 A mighty mast'ry to the Achaian host, — 
' Then let him know, how that betwixt us twain 
' Shall rancour be unhealable." So saying, 
The Shaker of Earth quitted the Achaian host : 
And went forthwith and plunged into the deep ; 

220 And with regret the Achaian chieftains missed him. 
Meanwhile, cloud-gatherer Jove spake thus to Apollo : 
" Go now, dear Phoebus, unto brass-armed Hector ; 
' For now the Compasser of Land, the Earth-Shaker, 
' To escape our utter wrath, has gone away 
' Into the vasty sea : and well : for else, 
' Sure heard forsooth had all, yea even the gods 

225 ' Who dwell below with Chronos, of my prowess. 
' But gainer far is this indeed for me, 
' And also for himself, that thus he has felt 
i Ashamed beforehand and escaped my hands ; 
' For not else had the matter come to an end 
1 Without sore sweat at least. But in thy hands 



408 THE ILIAD. XV. 

1 Take thou my tasseled Mgis. Brandish it 
230 ' Abroad against the Achaian chiefs and scare them, 
1 And Let the brilliant Hector, Far-Darter, 
' Be thine own care : so waken up in him 
1 A mighty strength, until the Achaians flee 

* And reach again their ships and the Hellespont : 
i And I myself thereafter will devise 

* Both word and deed, how that e'en yet again 
235 ' May the Argives have a respite from their toil/' 

He spake : whereat Apollo was not loth 
To obey his father : down from heights of Ida 
He sped, like unto a nimble hawk, dove-killing, 
Nimblest of winged fowls : he found prince Hector, 
Sage-hearted Priam's son, no longer lying, 

240 But sitting up ; and now he knew again 

His comrades round him, and had gained fresh spirit ; 

And the hard breathing and the sweat did cease, 

Soon as the will of J5gis-bearing Zeus 

Did raise him up. Unto him now drew near 

Apollo, the Far-Darter, and addressed him : 

" Hector, thou son of Priam, and why dost Thou 

245 i From all the rest sit thus aloof and faint ? 
' Has any manner of trouble come to Thee V 9 
Whereat, lord Hector of the glancing helm, 
Feeble, thus answered him. : " And Who art Thou, 
6 Bravest of gods, that here dost question me 
' Thus face to face ? Know'st not, how doughty Ajax 
t With a great pebble smote me upon the breast, 

250 ' And stopped me from the furious battle strife, 

" When by the Achaian ship-sterns was I slaughtering 
' His comrades ? and for my part sure I thought 
''This day to see the dead, and the house of Hades, 



book O. 409 

I When I was breathing out my very heart." 
Then the Far-darting king Apollo answered : 

II Take courage now ; for such an able Helper 
255 ' Has Chronides from Ida sent forth hither 

' To stand beside and guard thee, — even me, 

1 Phoebus Apollo, of the golden sword ; 

i Who also aforetime shield thee, and likewise 

' Thy lofty City with thee. But now come, N 

' Urge on your many horsemen to drive now 

4 Their nimble horses to the hollow ships : 
260 ' And I '11 go on before, and make smooth all 

' The road-way for the horses ; and I '11 turn 

' The Achaian chiefs to flight." So saying, he breathed 

A mighty strength into the people's pastor. 

And as some stalled horse, fed full at crib, 

Might break away his halter, and abroad 

He stamps, he spurns the ground,— he scuds forth proudly, 
265 Wonted to bathe in some fair river-stream, 

And up he holds his head aloft, and high 

His flowing mane waves whisking o'er his shoulders ; 

And he, — relying on his glorious beauty ;— 

Lightly along his knees do bear him forth 

Unto the haunts and pastures of the mares ; 

So Hector, when he heard the voice divine, 
270 Did nimbly ply his knees and feet, to urge 

His horsemen on. Yet, as when countrymen 

And hounds are hotly hunting horned stag, 

Or a wild goat ; to which the bosky wood 

And rock unclimbable affords a shelter ; 

For sure 'twas not their destiny to take him; 

And in the hunters' pathway sudden appears 
275 A shaggy lion, awakened by their shouting, 



410 THE ILIAD. XV. 

Who soon scares all away, fain though for hunting ; 
So were the Danaans, for a while indeed, 
Ever pursuing troop by troop, and thrusting 
With swords and double-fitted spears ; but now, 
When 'mongst his lines of men they saw prince Hector 
Hieing about, they were dismayed thereat, 

280 And courage sank e'en to the feet of all. 

Amongst them now spake Thoas, Andrsemon's son, 
Skilled in the dart, and brave in standing fight, 
Far noblest of JUtolians : and but few 
Of Argives in the assembly mastered him, 
Whene'er youths vied in rivalry of speeches. 
He now with kindly thought and shrewd outspake, 

285 And thus addressed them : " Sure now here I see 
' Before mine eyes, strange, a mighty wonder I 
' How thus has Hector 'scaped from violent doom, 
4 And ris'n up yet again ! Sure did the heart 
' Of each indulge a hope that he had died 
; Beneath the hand of Telamonian Ajax. 

290 ' But some one of the gods again has rescued 

i And saved this Hector, who has loosed the knees 

' Already of many a Danaan. So e'en yet, 

* I fear, it shall be : for indeed not thus 

' Without the aid of Zeus the lofty Thund'rer 

' Does he stand up, so veh'ment, foremost champion. 

1 Yet como ye, and as I '11 say, comply we all : 

295 ' Let 's bid the crowd withdraw them to the ships ; 
' And staunch stand we ourselves, who boast to be 
' The bravest in the host, if with raised spears 
' We first may meet and keep the foe in check : 
6 And He, how hot soe'er in spirit, methinks, 
' Will fear to plunge into a troop of Danaans." 



BOOK O. 411 

He spake : whereat they gave him ready hearing 
And straight complied : then Ajax and his captains, 
And those with lord Idomeneus, and Meges 
Equal to Ares, called the chiefs together, 
And made the battle ready, in the face 
Of Hector and his Trojans : but the crowd 
Withdrew them to the Achaian ships in rear. 
Together now the Trojans all pressed forward, 
And with huge strides prince Hector led them on, 
And before Him did march Apollo Phoebus, 
His shoulders clad in clouds ; and in his hands 
The furious JEgis, shaggy-fringed all round, 
Exceeding bright ; the which erewhile Hephaistos 
The Coppersmith had given to Zeus, to carry 
For the dismay of men : so now with this 
Upheld in hand Apollo led the host. 
And biding them stood the Argives all together ; 
Anon from both sides rose the warcry sharp : 
And arrows leaped from strings, and many a spear 
From sturdy hands : and fixed were some i th' flesh 
Of warriors hot in fight ; and also many, 
Longing to have their fill of flesh, were planted 
In earth, midway, ere reaching the fair flesh. 
Now while Apollo Phoebus held the iEgis 
Unshaken in his hands, so long did weapons 
On both sides reach their mark, and folk did fall. 
But when he looked and waved it to and fro 
In face right o'er against the swift-horsed Danaans, 
And himself shouted with full mighty cry, 
Then in their hearts did he spell-bind their spirit, 
And straightway they forgat their furious prowess. 
And as when sudden, in dark and dead of night, 



412 THE ILIAD. XV. 

I'th' herdsman's absence, come two savage beasts 

325 And drive a herd of bullocks in confusion, 
Or a large flock of sheep ; e'en so to flight 
Were turned the weak Achaians ; for Apollo 
Sent Fear amongst them ; and vouchsafed to Hector, 
And to the Trojans, glory. Broken up 
Then was the line of battle, and man slew man : 
Hector killed Stichios and Arcesilaus : 

330 Leader, the one, of brazen-mailed Boeotians : 

And the other, a faithful friend of bold Menestheus. 
And lord JSneas killed and stripped of harness 
Medon and Jasos : bastard son was Medon 
Of prince Oileus, and was Ajax' brother; 
(Afar howe'er from fatherland he dwelt 

335 At Phylace, for having slain a man, 
Kinsman of Eriopis, his stepmother, 
Whom lord Oileus had to wife) ; and Jasos, 
He was the Athenians' captain, and was called 
The son of Sphelos, son of Boucolos. 
Anon Polydamas killed lord Mecisteus ; 
Polites in the foremost fight slew Echios ; 

340 And prince Agenor took the life of Clonios : 
And Paris hit Deiochus behind, 
The shoulders' lowest part, — as he was fleeing 
Amongst the foremost fighters, and the brass 
Drave on right through. As they were stripping off 
The arms from these, — away meanwhile the Achaians 
Hither and thither fled and threw themselves 

345 Beyond the deep-dug trench and palisade ; 

And plunged perforce within their wall. Then Hector, 
With a loud shout thus urged the Trojans on : 
" Rush ye upon the ships, and Let alone 



BOOK O. 413 

1 The gory spoils of slain : and whomsoever 

1 Shall I perceive elsewhere aloof from the ships,— 

1 Death on the spot for him I '11 bring about ; 

' Nor shall the men and women of his kin 

' Give him when dead the funeral rites of fire ; 

' But dogs before our Town shall drag and tear him." 

So saying, his horses lashed he on with whip 

Athwart their shoulders, as by rank and line 

He cheered the Trojans on : then with him They, 

All shouting out with awful din together, 

Began to urge their chariot-drawing horses : 

And eas'ly with his feet Apollo Phoebus 

Before them dashed the banks of the deep trench, 

And cast them into midst thereof; and bridged 

A gangway long and wide, far as the throw 

Is of a spear, when haply a man lets fly 

For trial of his strength : they by this bridge 

In columns poured along ; and at their head 

Apollo, holding yet the precious J3gis : 

And the Argives' wall full eas'ly down he dashed, 

As any child at play by the sea-side, 

Among the sand, who in his childish fashion 

Has built thereof his playthings, and again 

With hands and feet scatters them in confusion ; 

E'en so didst thou, good Phoebus, here confound 

The Achaians' work of much distress and toil, 

And them to flight thou turnedst. Thus did They 

Beside their galleys come to a stand and halted ; 

And calling each on other, and uplifting 

Their hands to all the gods, they prayed aloud 

Each one and all : and chiefly the Argives' Guardian, 

Gerenian Nestor, stretching forth his hands 



414 THE ILIAD. XV. 

Unto the starry heaven, thus prayed : " Zeus father ! 

1 If e'er has any one in corn-rich Argos 

' Burnt unto thee fat hams of sheep or bullock, 

' And prayed for home-return, and thou thereto 

1 Hast given thy promise and assenting nod ; 

1 Recal them now to mind, Olympian father, 

375 ' And keep afar the ruthless day, nor suffer 

1 The Achaians thus to be subdued by Trojans/' 

So spake he praying; and Zeus the lord of counsel, 

Gave ear unto the prayers of old Neleides, 

And thundered a loud crash. Whereat the Trojans, 

As they did understand the mood of Zeu3 

The iEgis-bearer, sprang more furiously 

380 On Argives, and bethought them of the battle. 
Then, as a mighty wave of broad-wayed sea 
Comes whelming o'er a ship's sides, when the force 
Of wind is driving on ; for this most chiefly 
Does raise the billows high; so did the Trojans 
With mighty battle-shout come down the wall, 

385 And in they drave their horses, and did fight 
Close hand to hand with double-fitted spears 
E'en at the ship-sterns ; these indeed on chariots ; 
And those) aloft, on board their darksome ships 
With lengthy pike-staves, which they had in store 
On board their ships for sea-fight, — boarding pikes, 
Well-joined, all sheathed with brass about the point. 

390 Now prince Patroclus, while indeed the Achaians 
And Trojans yet were fighting by the wall 
Far from the nimble galleys, — he still sat 
Within the hut of bold Eurypylos, 
And cheered him up with talk, and sprinkled simples, 
Relief of gloomy pains, on the sad wound : 



BOOK O. 415 

But when lie noted now the Trojans rushing 
In at the wall, while shouting and dismay- 
Rose 'mongst the Danaans, then he cried " Oh Me," 
And smote himself, palm down, upon his thighs, 
And wailing spake this word ; " Eurypylos, 
1 No longer can I stay beside thee here, 
1 Howe'er so much thou cravest me ; for now 
' Up is a mighty strife : but let thy squire 
' Attend and cheer thee ; / 11 all haste to Achilles, 
1 That I may rouse him up to fight. And Who, 
i Who knows, but by good Luck I may win o'er 
1 rVnd haply stir his heart? for friend's persuasion 
405 ' Is bravely good/' His legs, as thus he spake, 
Did carry him away : meanwhile, the Achaians 
Stood steadfast now against the attacking Trojans, 
Yet could not drive them, fewer although they were, 
Back from the ships, nor were the Trojans able 
To break the Danaans' lines, nor throw themselves 
Upon their camp-huts, neither upon the ships. 
But, as a timber for a ship is straitened 
By standard rule in a deft shipwright's hands, 
Who, by the inklings given him by Athene, 
Has a good knowledge of the craft complete ; 
So was the battle and tug of war 'twixt these 
Equally strained. And all about the galleys 
They fought the fight, some about these, some those : 
But against glorious Ajax straight went Hector. 
So these two now sustained about one ship 
Their toil ; yet neither had this one the power 
To drive the other from his hold and set 
The ship^ ablaze with fire; nor could the other 
Thrust this one back again, for that a god 



416 THE ILIAD. XV. 

Had brought him thither. Then with spear bright Ajax 

420 Smote Clytius' son, Caletor, on the breast, 
As he was bringing fire towards the ship ; 
So down he heav'ly pitched, and from his grasp 
The fire-brand fell. Now soon as Hector noted 
Before his eyes his kinsman fall'n i' th' dust 
Beside the darksome ship, he shouted loud, 
And called both on the Trojans and the Lycians : 

425 " Trojans, and Lycians, and close-fighting Dardans ! 
i Now shrink ye nowise in this press of battle ! 
6 But rescue Clytius' son, lest of his arms 
' The Achaian foemen strip him, for he has fallen 
' Here midst the ships' assemblage." Saying thus, 
He darted with his glittering spear at Ajax. 
Now him he missed : yet Master's son he hit 

430 Lycophron, a Cytherian, Ajax' squire, 

"Who with him dwelt, for at divine Oythere 

He had slain a man : now Hector with sharp weapon 

Hit him, upon the head above his ear, 

Standing at Ajax' side : so to the earth 

From off the ship-stern down fell he i' th' dust 

435 Upon his back ; and loosed were all his limbs. 
Then shuddered Ajax, and to his brother spake : 
" Teucer, my darling ! now here is killed 
' Our trusty comrade good Mastorides, 
' Who from Oythere dwelt with us at home, 
( And whom e'en as our parents there we honoured : 

440 ' But him has high-souled Hector slain. Where now, 
' W r here are thine arrows, dealers of swift death, 
' And where the Bow, Phoebus Apollo gave thee ? " 
He spake : and Teucer understood ; and ran. 
And stood beside him ; and in hand he held 



BOOK O. 417 

His tough back-bending bow, and arrowy quiver : 
Then bolts right swiftly sent he against the Trojans, 

445 And shot Peisenor's son, the gallant Cleitos, 
Comrade of bright Polydamas Panthoides, 
Eeins in his hands : busying himself was He 
About his horses (for with free-will service 
To Hector and the Trojans, he was driving 
Just thither where the lines were far most huddled 
And wildest in confusion) ; but on Him, 

450 Fain howsoe'er, came mischief speedily, 

Which no one warded from him : from behind 

Into his neck the grievous arrow plunged, 

And from the chariot down he pitched, and from him 

The horses started off, rattling along 

The empty car : but lord Polydamas 

Eight quickly noted it, and foremost went 

455 And met his horses. These gave He forthwith 
Unto Astynoos, the son of Protion : 
And gave him many a 'best to keep the horses 
In sight, at hand; then went he again and mingled 
Among the foremost fighters. Teucer now 
Plucked forth another shaft, for brass-mailed Hector : 
And sure beside the Achaian ships he had stopped 

460 The foe from further battle, had he hit, 

And so of life reft Him, who was their Bravest. 
But the shrewd notice not did he escape 
Of Zeus, who guarded Hector, and denied 
The prayer of Teucer, son of Telamon ; 
Who, as he now was drawing at the prince, 
Snapped the well-twisted string on his faultless bow. 

465 Aside elsewhither went the brass-tipped arrow, 

And from his hand down dropped the bow. Then shuddered 

27 



418 THE ILIAD. XV. 

Teucer hereat, and thus addressed his brother : 
" Strange ! now sure are all Our battle's plans 
1 Quite baffled by some god, who has flung the bow 
t From out my hand, and here has snapped asunder 
1 The fresh-twined string, which thereupon I fastened 

470 i This morn, for bearing up against my shafts 

6 Leaping forth frequent. " Straight then answered him 

Huge Telamonian Ajax : " my darling, 

' But Let thy bow and frequent shafts lie idle ; 

1 Seeing some god has troubled them, with grudge 

1 Against the Danaans : but a lengthy spear 

' Take thou in hand, and shield upon thy shoulder, 

475 ' And 'gainst the Trojans do thou battle, and cheer 

1 Our men all on : that so the foe, though conquering, 

1 May not forsooth, without ado at least, 

' Capture our trim-benched ships : but come, the joy 

1 Of battle call we now to mind ! " He spake : 

So Teucer put his bow away in hut : 

About his shoulders donned he then a buckler 

480 Of hides four-fold, and on his mighty head 

Set a horse-tailed fair-wrought helm, the crest whereof 
Grim from above did nod : and a stout spear, 
Made sharp with brazen point, he grasped in hand ; 
And running forth he went right quickly and stood 
By Ajax* side. Now soon as Hector saw 
The bolts of Teucer baffled, loud he shouted 

485 And called upon the Trojans and the Lycians : 

" Trojans ! and Lycians ! and close-fighting Dardans ! 
Be men, my friends, and 'mongst the hollow ships 
Call ye to mind your veh'ment strength of arm : 
For Yore mine eyes I've seen the bolts now baffled 
Of a right noble chief, baffled by Zeus. 



BOOK O. 419 

490 ' And amongst men right easily is distinguished 

1 The might of Zeus, both where he gives the glory 
' Of upper-hand ; and also where he weakens, 
1 And wills not to defend : as now he weakens 
' The Argives' might, and gives to us his help. 
1 Then fight ye all together at the ships : 

495 ' And whoso 'mongst you meets his death and doom 
6 By close-hand stroke, or off-hand, Let him die ; 
1 To die in fighting for his fatherland 
1 Is not unseemly ; but his wife and children 
1 Shall be thereafter safe, and all untouched 
' His house and portion, — if but with their ships 
' The Achaians to their fatherland depart/' 

500 So saying, he stirred the heart and spirit of all. 
Ajax, meanwhile, on the other side roused also 
His comrades on : " Shame ! Argives ! now full certain 
1 Is one of these ; either at once to perish ; 
' Or to be safe and drive away this mischief 
6 From off our ships. Can any amongst you hope, — 
' If Hector of the glancing helm should capture 

505 ' Our ships, — to reach his fatherland again 

' On foot forsooth ? Hear ye not Hector urging 
* All his host on, and how he's bent on setting 
' Our ships ablaze ? Sure not to a dance at least 
i Bids he his friends to come, but to do battle. 
' And no advice or plan for us is better, 

510 i Than that at once we join close-handed battle 

' With might and main. To die, or save one's life, 

i Outright at once, is better than by slow 

1 Driblets to be thus drained of all one's strength, 

' Here by the ships in awful battle-strife, 

1 Under the attack of men of weaker prowess." 



420 THE ILIAD. XV. 

So saying, he stirred the might and spirit of all. 

515 Then Hector slew the son of Perimedes, 

Schedius, the Phocians' chief. And Ajax killed 

Laodainas, Antenor's gallant son, 

Captain of heavy-armed foot. And spoiled of life 

And harness by the lord Polydamas 

Was Otus, the Cyllenian, chief commander 

Of bold Epeians, comrade of lord Meges, 

520 The son of Phyleus. Meges saw, and rushed 
Straight at Polydamas : He swerved aside : 
So Meges missed him ; for Apollo Phoebus 
Permitted not the slaying of Panthoos' son 
Among the champions : Meges hit howe'er 
Ooesmos' mid breast with lance and wounded him : 
And down he heav'ly fell ; and from his shoulders 

525 Meges off stripped his harness. But, meanwhile, 
At him rushed Dolops, cunning with the spear, 
Lampetides, well-skilled in furious prowess ; 
Whose father was the bravest among men, 
Lampus, the son of prince Laomedon. 
So Dolops now rushed on, close-hand, with spear, 
And pierced the middle of Phyleides' buckler; 

530 But the thick breast-plate which he wore, well-fitted 
At the hollow sides, defended him from harm : 
From Ephyre beside the stream Selleis 
Phyleus erst brought it ; for his host, Euphetes, 
Chieftain of warriors there had given it him 
To wear in war, for shelter from the foe : 
And erst from kirn, and now too from his son, 

535 It warded mischief off. lieges howe'er 

With beechen lance now pierced the topmost crown 
Of his assailant's horse-tailed brass -bound helmet, 



BOOK O. A2l 

And brake therefrom the horse-haired crest ; which dropped, 
All splendid with fresh purple as it was, 
Down to the ground in dust. While thus with Dolops 
Meges kept fighting, and still hoped for mast'ry, 

540 tJnto his aid came doughty Menelaus, 

And with his lance stood on one side unnoticed, 

And smote the foeman's shoulder from behind ; 

And through his breast the spear rushed quivering on, 

Forward full fain, and he sank headlong down. 

Then rushed they both to strip the brazen harness 

From off his shoulders : but, meanwhile, prince Hector 

545 'Gan urge his kinsmen every one ; and first 
Chid Hicetaon's son, bold Melanippos : 
Who erst, while yet the foemen were far off, 
Did feed his slow-paced bullocks in Percote : 
But when the Danaans' rolling ships were come, 
To Ilion he returned ; and was distinguished 

550 Among the Trojans ; and he lived with Priam ; 
Who honoured him all equal with his children : 
Him now did Hector chide, and spake the word 
And uttered it aloud : " So, Melanippos, 
' Slack-handed shall we be ? and is thy heart 
' Not moved forsooth within thee, at the slaughter 
6 Here of our kinsman ? seest not, how they 're busy 

555 ' Stripping the arms of Dolops ? Come then, quick I 
' For now not off-hand must we fight the Achaians, 
6 But close, till either utterly we've slain them, 
' Or they outright demolish lofty Ilion, 
1 And take her townsfolk bondsmen." Saying thus, 
He led the way : and with him also went 
That other godlike man. Meanwhile huge Ajax, 

560 The son of Telamon, thus cheered his Argives : 



492 THE ILIAD. XV. 

" friends, be men ! and cherish in your heart 
' A sense of shame, and in our sturdy struggles 
1 Have each for other due regard. Sure more 
' Of men, who so do shew right sense of honour, 
1 Are safe and sound, than slain : but neither glorf, 
" Nor any safeguard, springs from runaways. " 

565 He spake : and fain, e'en of themselves, were they 
To drive the foemen off: to heart howe'er 
They laid his w r ord ; and with a brazen fence 
Their galle} T s they defended : but against them 
Zeus stirred the Trojans up. Then Menelaus, 
Doughty in fight, thus roused Antilochus : 
" Of all the Achaians none, Antilochus, 

570 ' Than thou is younger, none more swift afoot, 
1 And none so bold in fighting :— 0, if haply 
' Thou couldst leap forth and smite some Trojan chief." 
So saying, away he went again, but stirred 
The other up : so peering round about him, 
From out the foremost fighters forth he leaped, 
And darted with his glittering spear : and back 

575 The Trojans drew them, as the chieftain darted : 
Yet not in vain did he launch forth his weapon ; 
But on the breast beside the pap he hit 
Bold Melanippos, Hicetaon's son, 
Returning to the fight : and down he pitched, 
A heavy thump, and on him rang his harness. 
Then at him sprang Antilochus, like hound 

580 That rushes on a wounded fawn ; at which, 

Leaping from forth its couching place, some hunter 
Has aimed and hit, and loosed its limbs beneath it ; 
So did Antilochus, the staunch in battle, 
At thee, Melanippos, now rush on 



book O. . 423 

To strip thine arms ; yet 'scaped he not the notice 
Of godlike Hector, who forthwith to attack him 

585 Came running through the battle : whereupon, 
Antilochus, fierce warrior though he was, 
Stayed not, but he did flee, like some wild beast, 
Having done mischief, when mayhap he has killed 
Herdsman, or dog, in charge of beeves ; and 'scapes, 
Ere ever men in troop can come together ; 
So fled the son of Nestor, while against him 

590 Midst awful warcry Hector and his Trojans 

Poured forth a storm of groan-begetting bolts : 
Yet when he reached his comrades' troop again, 
He faced about and took his stand. And now * 
The Trojans rushed, like raw-devouring lions, 
To attack the ships ; and so fulfilled Jove's 'hests ; 
Who stirred in them a mighty rage unceasing ; 

595 And spell-bound the Argives' courage, and withdrew 
Their glory from them ; but urged on the Trojans. 
For thus his heart did will to give the glory 
To Hector son of Priam, that he should cast 
Strange fire untiring on the crook-beaked ships, 
And 'complish all the lawless prayer of Thetis : m 
Awaiting this was Zeus the lord of counsel, 

600 To see before his eyes the brilliant blaze 

Of a ship burning. Then from that time forth 
He meant to turn the Trojans from the ships 
In flight again, and give the Danaans glory. 
With such intent, he urged the son of Priam, 
Lord Hector, though all eager of himself, 

605 Against the hollow ships. And he did rage, 
Like Ares, wielder of the spear ; or a fire, 
Wasteful, that rages in a deep wood's thickets, 



424 THE ILIAD. XV. 

Upon the mountains : and about his mouth 
The foam did froth, and 'neath his awful brows 
His eyes did gleam ; and grim about his temples 

610 The helm of Hector, as he fought, did shake ; 

For Zeus himself from heaven was now his helper ; 

And He did glorify and honour him 

Alone 'mongst many chieftains : for short-lifed 

Was he to be : already Athene Pallas 

Was urging on his fateful day against him, 

Beneath the might of Peleus' son. And sure 

615 Now did he wish to break through lines of men, 
And try his luck where thickest throng he saw 
And choicest arms : nathless, how fain soe'er, 
Break through he could not ; for they held together, 
Serried in close array ; like huge steep rock, 
Which stands hard by the surfy sea, and bides 

620 Firm 'gainst the swift inroads of whistling winds, 

And 'gainst big w r aves, which foaming break upon it ; 

So did the Danaans steadfast bide the Trojans, 

And did not quail. But at their throng leapt He 

Shining with fire from every side about him : 

And on he dashed, as when a furious billow, 

Fed to the full by winds 'neath clouds, falls dashing 

625 On a swift ship, and straight she 's hidden quite 
'Neath foamy spray ; and the dread blast of wind 
Roars in the sail ; whereat the shipmen quake 
For very fear at heart ; for sure but scarcely 
Borne are they safe from death ; — e'en so divided 
Was now the Achaians' heart within their breasts. 
But He, # — like as a lion bent on slaughter, 

630 Attacking cows in some large marshy meadow, 

* This peculiar construction of sentence is Homer's. 



book O. 425 

Where numberless they 're pastured ; and the herdsman, 

In charge of them, has not yet surety of skill 

In fighting with wild beasts about the slaughter 

Of ever a ring-horned cow ; always indeed 

"Wonted is he to walk, now with the hindmost, 

Now with the foremost kine ; meanwhile, the lion 

635 Attacks the midmost, and devours a cow, 

And all the rest flee frightened; so # dismayed 

Were now the Achaians all, unspeakably, 

By father Zeus and Hector ; yet he slew 

But only Periphetes of Mycene, 

Beloved son of Copreus,f who of yore 

Oft went on ambassage from king Eurystheus 

640 Unto his mightiness lord Heracles : 

Of such far meaner father f was begotten 
A son full brave in every manner of prowess, 
Both swift on foot, and ready to the battle ; 
And 'mongst Mycene's foremost was he in wit : 
'T was he who into Hector's hands now put 
A higher glory : for in turning back 

645 He tripped himself against his buckler's rim, 
Which reaching to his heels he used to carry, 
Fence against javelins : thus herein entangled 
Pell he upon his back ; and round his temples, 
As down he fell, rang terribly his helmet : 
But Hector took sharp notice, up he ran, 
Stood near, and planted in his breast a lance, 

650 And slew him, midst his comrades close at hand ; 
And they, howe'er distressed about their mate, 
Could not avail ; for sore afraid were they 
Themselves of godlike Hector. Now in front 

* See line 629. f The name, "Copreus," indicates a dung-hill character. 



426 THE ILIAD. XV. 

Facing the ships' foreparts they were, and round them 
Stood all the outmost ships, hauled nighest the sea ; 
And thither had the troops poured on. For the Argives 

655 "Withdrew yea e'en perforce from those first ships ; 
And now stood steadfast all together there 
Beside their huts, and were not broken up 
About the camp : for shame and fear restrained them; 
And calling out did each encourage other 
Unceasingly : and most Gerenian Nestor, 
The Achaians' Guardian, earnestly besought 

660 Each man, and prayed them for their fathers' sakes : 
" friends, Be men ! and cherish in yonr hearts 
' A sense of honour for the sake of others ! 
' And call ye each to mind your wives and children, 
' And your possessions ; think too of your fathers, 
' Whether they 're yet alive, or whether dead. 

665 ' For sake of those not here, I here beseech you, 

' Stand firm and steady, and turn ye not in flight ! " 

So saying, he stirred the spirit and heart of all : 

And from their eyes Athene drave away 

The god-sent cloud of gloom. : whereat indeed 

On them was Light from both sides, — at the galleys, 

670 And midst the battle's common partnership. 

And now they noticed Hector, doughty in battle, 
And all his friends, both those who stood in rear 
Aloof, and were not fighting, and all those 
Who fought the fight beside the nimble ships : 
And now no more it pleased the high-souled heart 
Of Ajax to be standing, where forsooth 

675 All the other sons of Argives chose to stand ; 
But with huge strides along the galleys' decks 
Strode He, and in his hands he nimbly plied 



book O. 427 

A mighty boarding-pike, with rivets joined, 

Of two and twenty cubits in its length. 

And as some man, well-skilled in riding horses, 

(830 Together yokes him four from out of many, 
And driving from the plain to the great Town 
Speeds them along the highway, where full many, 
Both men and women, gaze on him with wonder ; 
And he, all steadfast ever, leaps unfaltering, 
Changing from horse to horse ; while on fly they ; 

680 So with great strides went Ajax to and fro 
On many a deck-plank of the nimble ships ; 
And his loud voice reached heaven : and frightfully 
He shouted ceaselessly and bade the Danaans 
Defend their ships and camp-huts. Nor indeed 
Did Hector now remain amid the throng 

690 Of thick-mailed Trojans : but as a fiery eagle 
Swoops down upon a flock of winged fowls, 
Feeding beside a river, geese, or cranes, 
Or long-necked swans ; e'en so did Hector rush 
And spring straight forward at the blue-prowed ship ; 
And him did Zeus indeed with mighty arm 

695 Push on behind and urged his troops on with him. 
So by the ships again was battle hot : 
And sure thou mightst have thought that in the fight 
They met each other all untired and fresh, 
So veh'mently they battled. But this thought 
Was in these fighters' hearts : Argives indeed 

700 Thought not to escape from mischief, but to perish; 
And in the Trojans' breasts each heart did hope 
To fire the ships, and slay the Achaian lords : 
With such-like thoughts stood they against each other. 
Hector anon laid hold upon a ship, 



428 THE ILIAD. XV. 

The stern thereof, a goodly, sea-swift ship, 

705 Traverser of the deep,— which unto Troy- 
Had brought Protesilaus, but again 
Not did she take him to his fatherland : 
'T was round Ms ship the Achaians now and Trojans 
Were slaying each other hand to hand : for sure 
Not bide did they forsooth on either side 
The flight of arrow's, nor of darts ; but they, 

710 With but one mind, stood at it, hand to hand, 

And fought with sharp-edged bills and battle-axes, 
And mighty swords, and double-fitted spears. 
And many a black-sheathed goodly hilted cutlass 
Did fall upon the ground, some from the hands, 
Some from the shoulder-belts of warriors fighting : 

715 And earth streamed black with blood. Yet of the stern 
Hector did not let go his grasp, when once 
Thereon he had seized ; but, clutching in his hands 
The tafferail-ensign, thus he bade his Trojans : 
" Bring fire ! and raise ye all at once together 
6 The battle-shout. Zeus now to Us has given 
' A day of recompense for all our troubles, — 

720 ' To take these galleys, which have hither come 
' Without the gods' consents, and brought on us 
i Full much distress, through weakness of our Elders ; 
' Who, when I was for fighting at the ships, 
i Did always hinder me, and stayed our troops : 
' Yet sure if then did far-seeing Zeus mislead 

725 ' Our wits, 'tis He now stirs and bids us on." 

He spake : whereat rushed they more vehemently 
Against the Achaians : nor could now lord Ajax 
Longer stand fast, so pressed he w 7 as by weapons : 
But thinking sure to have perished, back he drew, 



book O. 429 

Some little way, to a seven-foot bench, and left 

The good ship's decks : there stayed he lying in wait, 

And ever with his pike he warded off 

The Trojans from his ships, whene'er one brought 

The untiring fire ; and ever did he shout 

With dreadful cry, and cheered the Danaans on : 

" friends, ye ministers of slaughterous Ares, 

1 Ye Danaan chieftains, Be ye men, my friends, 

( And call to mind your furious might of arm ! 

' Think we, we 've any helpers in our rear ? 

' Or that we 've yet some stronger wall, for warding 

' Death from our men ? Not any Town indeed 

' Furnished with towers, whereby we may protect us, 

' Have we at hand, with fresh reserves of strength : 

' No ; but upon the field of thick-mailed Trojans, 

1 Far from our fatherland we 're here encamped, 

' With but the deep to lean on. Wherefore Light 

1 Is in our might, and not in lukewarm battle." 

He spake : and with his beechen pike rushed on, 

Panting for eagerness : and of the Trojans 

Whoe'er with fire-brand rushed at the hollow ships, 

For Hector's pleasure as he urged them on, 

Him on sharp pike did Ajax sure receive, 

And wounded ; and thus twelve upon the strand 

He slew before the galleys hand to hand. 



430 THE ILIAD. XVI. 



ARGUMENT OF THE SIXTEENTH BOOK. II. 

At the entreaty of Patroclus, Achilles gives him leave to go into the battle 
at the head of his Myrmidons, and grants him the use of his own armour. 
Ajax is driven from his position, and Hector sets lire to Protesilaus' ship : 
at sight of which Achilles the more readily sends Patroclus forth with his 
Myrmidons. They repel the Trojans with great slaughter : Patroclus 
slays Sarpedon, the son of Zeus ; and drives the foe to their town-walls. 
Apollo turns the Achaians back again, and helps Hector. Euphorbos 
wounds Patroclus ; and Hector at length slays him. Patroclus with his 
dying breath predicts Hector's fall. 

PI : of Patroclus and Ms daring deeds : 
And how by Hector s lance he is done to death. 



Thus were they fighting round the trim-benched ship. 
Meanwhile, by Achilles, pastor of his host, 
Now stood Patroclus, shedding down hot tears, 
Like as a darkling water-spring, that pours 
Down some steep rock its dimly-trickling water. 
5 Whereat the able-footed prince Achilles 

Eyed him with pity, and thus with winged words 
Accosted him and said : ".Now why, Patroclus, 
1 Art all in tears ? just like a baby girl, 
t That runs beside her mother, and entreats her 
i To take her up in arms ; and clings to her clothes, 
' And checks her in her haste, and all in tears 
10 ' Does look at her, that she may take her up : 
1 Like her, thou droppest the soft tear, Patroclus. 



book IT. 431 

1 Hast aught to tell of unto our Myrmidons, 
1 Or to myself? Hast thou alone heard tidings 
1 Of any sort from Phthia ? Sure living yet 
1 Is Actor's son, Menoitius ; so they say : 
1 And 'mongst his Myrmidons is also living 
1 Peleus iEacides : for either of whom 
1 Sore should we mourn indeed if he were dead. 
1 Or thou, dost thou feel pity for the Achaians, 
' That thus they perish at the hollow ships, 
i For their own trespass ? Hide it not in heart, 
1 Speak out, that so at once we both may know." 
20 Then spakest thou, Patroclus, horseman-prince, 
With many a heavy sigh, to him : " Achilles, 
Peleides, bravest far of all Achaians, 
Be thou not wroth ! for Oh such sore distress 
Forces the Achaians ! for amongst the ships 
Now lying are all, who were our best erewhile, 
Shot, or in close fight wounded ; shot indeed 
25 ' Is that bold son of Tydeus, Dioined : 

Spear-famed Odusseus in close fight is wounded, 
So too is Agamemnon : and by an arrow 
Eurypylos is also shot in his thigh. 
Healing the wounds of these are our chirurgeons 
In busy tendance with their many drugs : 
But thou, Achilles, art unsoothable. — 
30 ' Get hold of me may never suchlike wrath, 
As thou maintainest, thou terribly brave ! 
What good shall any one, howe'er late-born, 
Enjoy from Thee, if now thou wilt not ward 
Unseemly mischief from the Achaian host ? 
Ruthless ! Not father was the horseman Peleus 
To thee forsooth, neither was Thetis mother : 



432 THE ILIAD. XVI. 

35 ' But the wild sea and craggy rocks bred Thee ; 
' So froward is thy heart. But if thou thinkest 
c To avoid some prophecy, and thy lady mother 
' Has pointed any out to thee from Zeus, 
' Yet send forth Me at once, and all thy host 
1 Of Myrmidons to accompany me i' th' field, 
* If Light in any wise I may perchance 

40 ' Be thus unto the Danaans. Give me too 

1 Those arms of thine to put upon my shoulders : 

' So, haply taking me for Thee, the Trojans 

i Shall stay themselves from battle ; and our warriors, 

' Sons of Achaians, may again take breath 

' Mid their distress ; for little enough in War 

' Is breathing time. And sure yon wearied foemen 

45 ' "We fresh unwearied ones in battle-shout 

1 Might drive away with ease from hut and ship 
' Back to their Town." So spake he with entreaty, 
Mightily fond ! — for sure his thus entreating 
Was for sad death and violent Doom to himself. 
Anon full heavy at heart foot-swift Achilles 
Answered him thus : " Alas ! Jove-sprung Patroclus, 

£0 ' What hast thou said ? I heed no prophecy 

( Whereof I Ve heard, nor aught my lady mother 
' Has pointed .out to me from Zeus : but here 
' This terrible grief does touch my heart and soul, 
' When thus a man, standing in greater sway, 
' Thinks to bereave his equal of his rights 
' And take away again one's gift of honour : 

■55 ' This is to me a terrible pang, when thus 

s I've suffered grief at heart. I mean the damsel, 
'Her whom for me the sons of Argives chose, 
' As gift of honour ; and by my own spear 



book IT. 433 

4 1 gained her, and had sacked the strong-walled Town ; 

' Her from my hands again did Atreus' son 

1 Lord Agamemnon snatch, as though I were 

' Some worthless outcast. But we '11 now indeed 

' Have done with this, as by-gone ; nor was 't right 

' To be for evermore so wroth at heart : 

' I did sure think never to lull my wrath, 

6 Save when the battle-shout and fight had come 

i Unto my galleys. Thou howe'er, don thou 

' My far-famed harness now about thy shoulders, 

1 And lead my warlike Myrmidons to battle, 

* If with o'erwhelming might there now has come 
' A darksome cloud of Trojans round the ships : % 
' For on but narrow parcel now of room 

6 At the sea's edge hemmed in are the Argives lying : 

1 And all the Town of Trojans, in high heart, 

' Here has got footing ; for they do not see 

' The front of My bright-gleaming helmet near them : 

( Sure quickly had they fled, and with their corses 

' Had filled the gullies full, if unto me 

( Lord Agamemnon had but had kind feeling : 

' But now they attack our host on every side. 

' For not in the hands of Diomed Tydeides 

f Is the spear raging now for warding off 

' Death from the Danaans ; neither have I heard 

'The voice as yet of Agamemnon shouting 

' Out of his hateful head ; but all around 

4 Breaks forth the voice of slaughterous Hector, cheering 

* His Trojans on : and filling all the plain 

' Are they with joyous cry at overmast'ring 

' The Achaians in the fight. Nathless, Patroclus, 

' Fall thou upon them with o'erwhelming might ; 

28 



434 THE ILIAD. XYI. 

And from the galleys drive this mischief off, 
Lest now they set the ships ablaze with fire, 
And so bereave us of sweet home-return. 
But list, while I may put within thy heart 
My words' chief matter : so for me great honour 

85 ' And glory shalt thou win from all the Danaans : 
And back again shall they soon send the damsel 
So passing fair, and bring bright gifts beside. 
Come back, — when from the ships thou hast driven the foe 
And should but Here's lofty-thundering lord 
Vouchsafe thee to win glory, Be not Thou 
Longing to fight, at least apart from me, 

90 ' Against the warlike Trojans : for so doing, 

Me more dishonoured wouldst thou make. Nor march, 

On slaying the Trojans, onwards unto Ilion, 

Priding thyself in battle and in slaughter ; 

Lest from Olympus there should interfere 

Any of eveiiiving gods against thee : 

For strangely loved by Apollo the Far-darter 

95 i Sure are the Trojans : Turn then back again, 

Soon as amongst the ships thou hast given them Light, 
And Let them be, to battle o'er the plain. 
'Would, father Zeus, Athene, and Apollo, 
That neither may there one of all the Trojans, 
Many howe'er they be, shun death ! nor may 
One of the Argives ! only for Us Twain 
100 ' May 't be to escape from ruin ; that we alone 
May loose the sacred battlements of Troy ! " 

Of such-like matters talked thev each with other. 

■/ 

Meanwhile, no longer thinking to stand fast 
"Was Ajax ; for sore pressed he was by weapons : 
Jove's purpose, and the gallant Trojan chiefs 



book II. 435 

With javelins, did o'ermaster him : and the helmet 

Gleaming upon his temples, as 'twas hit, 

Kept up a terrible clang : for pelted was it, 

Unceasingly about the strong-wrought bosses : 

And in left shoulder weary was he of holding 

Steadfast his glancing shield incessantly : 

Yet could they not, though pressing hard upon him 

On all sides with their javelins, make him budge : 

With painsome panting too continually 

He was in sore distress ; and from his limbs 

At every part about him streamed much sweat, 

Nor could he any way gain breathing time ; 

For on all sides was mischief set on mischief. 

Now, ye dwellers in Olympian halls, 

Ye Muses, tell me, hovi did fire first fall 

On the Argive ships. Hector with mighty sword 

Stood near and smote the ashen lance of Ajax 

Upon the shaft behind the point thereof, 

And outright struck it off : docked as it was, 

Still in his hand did Telamonian Ajax 

Brandish the spear : and from it far away 

The brazen point fell humming to the ground. 

But in his faultless heart lord Ajax knew, 

And shuddered at, the dealings of the gods, 

How that high-thundering Zeus was herein baffling 

The counsels of his warfare utterly, 

And now did will the mast'ry to the Trojans. 

So back he drew from out the reach of weapons : 

Whereat upon the pointed ship flung they 

Untiring fire ; and suddenly about her 

Was poured a quenchless blaze. So clung the fire 

About the galley's stern. Anon, Achilles, 



436 THE ILIAD. XVI. 

Smiting his thighs, accosted thus Patroclus : 

" Bestir thee quick, horseman prince Patroclus ! 

* Already I see the rage of wasteful fire 

* Among the ships. See lest they win the ships, 
130 ' And no escape be left : don arms then quick, 

' And I'll be gathering all the host together." 

He spake : whereat in glittering brass Patroclus 

'Gan arm himself: and first upon his legs 

He put fair greaves, fitted with silver clasps : 

Then donned he about his chest the rich-wrought corslet, 

Brilliant with stars, of swift iEacides. 

135 A silver-studded brazen sword with belt 

Next flung he about his shoulders ; and a shield, 
Both strong and large ; and on his mighty head 
A fair-wrought helm he set, with horse-tail decked : 
And grim did nod the crest thereof above. 
Then hardy spears which fitted well his grasp 
He took, but the great heavy spear alone, 

140 Sturdy, of blemishless iEacides 

He took not ; for indeed of all the Achaians 
No one could brandish that ; save that Achilles 
Alone had skill to wield this Pelian ash, 
Which to his sire had Cheiron giv'n erewhile, 
Felled upon Pelion's crest, to be the death 
Of many a warrior-chief. Anon he bade 

145 Automedon with speed to yoke the horses : 
Him, next to lord Achilles doughty in fight, 
He honoured most ; for truest was he ever 
To bide his call in battle. So too now 
Automedon soon yoked the nimble horses, 
Bayard and Pyeball, who were wont to fly 
Swift as the wind : Hurricane Whitefoot foaled them, 



book U. 437 

150 As she was erewhile feeding in a meadow 
Beside the Ocean-stream, unto their sire 
Zephyr the West-wind. In side-traces also 
With them he harnessed faultless Pedasus, 
Whom at the capture of Eetion's Town 
Achilles took for spoil : death-doomed although. 
Yet alongside he went with deathless horses. 

155 Meanwhile, with arms for all his Myrmidons 
Achilles went and armed them hut by hut : 
And they, like raw-devouring wolves, whose strength 
Of heart is past all telling, when on hills 
They slaughter and devour some huge horn'd stag ;■ 
And blood-red are the jaws of all with gore ; 

160 Together then, to lap with their thin tongues 
The top of darkling water from the spring 
Dark-flowing forth, in packs they hie, disgorging 
The gory blood : but yet unflinching courage 
Is in their hearts, and straitened is their belly ; 
E'en so now hied the Myrmidonian leaders 

165 And captains, eager, round the gallant squire 
Of swift iEacides : and 'mongst them stood 
The warrior-prince himself, Achilles, cheering 
Both horse and buckler-bearing men of war. 
Fifty swift galleys were they which Achilles, 
Beloved of Zeus, had led to shores of Troy : 
And in each galley at the thwarts thereof 

170 The mates w T ere fifty warriors : and five captains. 
In whom he had full trust, he appointed o'er them 
To give command : but chief command held He 
Himself as king. One company was led 
By lord Menesthius, girt in glancing corslet, 
Son of Spercheios, Jove-descended stream : 



438 THE ILIAD. XVI. 

175 Fair Polydora, Peleus' daughter, bare him 
Unto the never-resting stream, Spercheios, — 
A woman unto a god : in name howe'er 
She bare him unto Periereus' son, 
Boros, who with espousal-gifts past counting 
Did marry her in public. Then Eudorus 
Led the next company ; bold warrior he, 

180 Son of a nymph unmarried : Phylas' daughter, 
Fair Polumele, comely in the dance, 
Gave birth to him : for in the choral dance 
Of loud-voiced Artemis of golden arrow 
The sturdy Argus-killer saw and loved her 
Among the songstresses before his eyes : 

185 Forthwith to upper room went gracious Hermes, 
And lay with her in secret : so she brought him 
A gallant son, Eudorus, a bold warrior, 
And passing swift on foot. When Eileithyia, 
"Who comes to the aid of women in hard travail, 
Had brought him forth to daylight, and he saw 
The sun's beams, then Actorides Echecleus 

190 Of mighty strength, with gifts of countless dowry 
Unto his palace took to wife the mother; 
And the old Phylas kindly reared the babe, 
And with great love embraced and nourished him, 
As if he were his own. Then bold Peisander, 
Maimalides, was leader of the third : 
In battling with the spear was he distinguished, 

195 Next after lord Peleides' trusty friend, 

'Mongst all the Myrmidons. Then of the fourth 
The ancient horseman Phoenix took command. 
And of the fifth, Laerces' faultless son, 
Alcimedon. Now soon as lord Achilles 



book n. 439 

Had set them all, together with their leaders, 
In goodly array, he enjoined a stern command : 

200 " Myrmidons! Let not one forget, I pray, 

' The threats which ye were always holding out 
'Here at our nimble ships, against the Trojans, 
1 During my wrath : and how ye all blamed Me : 
"Cruel, Peleu£ son," ye said ; "of surety 
" With gall thy mother nourished thee : ruthless, 
"For that thou heepst thy comrades at the ships 

205 "Against their wills : with our sea-faring galleys 
" Let's home agahi forsooth; if gall has entered, 
"In such wise mischievous, into thy heart." 
' Often with suchlike talk ye gathered round me : 
' But Now appears the battle-shout's great Work, 
' Which heretofore at least ye loved : therein 
' Let each one keep stout heart and fight the Trojans." 

210 So saying, he stirred the soul and spirit of all ; 
And closer still the squadrons ranged themselves, 
When thus they heard their Chief. And as a man 
To 'scape the force of winds might build the wall 
Of a high house with stones laid close and thick ; 
So close were ranged their helms and bossy bucklers : 

215 Buckler was backed by buckler, helm by helmet, 
And man by man : for with their shining peaks 
Their horse-haired helmets touched, as bent they forward ; 
So close they stood in rank and file together. 
Anon two warriors in the front of all, 
Patroclus and Automedon, did gird 
Their harness on, and one mind had they both, 

220 To battle in the Myrmidons' front lines : 
His way now hied Achilles into his hut, 
And opened there the lid of beauteous coffer, 



440 THE ILIAD. XVI* 

Of quaint device, which silver-footed Thetis 
Had amply filled with raiment, coats and cloaks 
Fence against wind, and with close woolly carpets, 
And put on ship-board for conveyance with him. 

225 Therein he also had a rich-wrought goblet, 

Wherefrom did no man else drink ruddy wine, 

Nor was he wont therefrom to pour libation 

To any god, save unto father Zeus. 

So this from out the coffer now he took 

And cleansed it first with brimstone, and then washed it 

With limpid streams of water : then his hands 

230 He likewise washed, and drew him ruddy wine : 
Then standing in the courtyard's midst, he prayed 
On this wise, looking up to heaven, and poured 
Libation of the wine : and not unnoticed 
Was he by thunder-loving Jove : " Lord Zeus ! 
1 Dwelling afar, Dodonean, of Pelasgos, 
1 Great Guardian of Dodona's stormy land, 

235 i Where thine interpreters, of unwashed feet, 
' The Sellans, dwell around, couching in earth; 
' Thou didst indeed give ear unto my word, 
' What time I prayed erewhile : me hast thou honoured, 
e And heavily hast thou pressed the Achaian host : 
' So also now achieve me this my wish : 
' Here bide will I myself among my gallies ; 

240 ' But forth to battle do I speed my friend 

' With many Myrmidons : far-seeing Zeus, 

c Send glory forth to be with him ; and strengthen 

1 The heart within his breast ; until even Hector 

' Shall understand, whether indeed my squire 

' Be skilled, though by himself alone, in fighting ; 

' Or whether furious are his unmatched hands 



BOOK IT. 441 

245 ' But only then, when / too take rne forth 
1 Into the moil of Ares. When howe'er 
1 He shall have chased away the shout of war 
1 And battle from the ships, Let him return 
1 Scatheless to me, here at the nimble galleys, 
1 With all our arms, and our close-fighting comrades/' 
So spake he praying : and Zeus the lord of counsel 

250 Gave ear unto his prayer : one part whereof 
The father gave him, but refused the other : 
He gave indeed to drive away the battle 
And fighting from the ships ; but to return 
Safe back from out the battle he refused. 
Now when he had poured libation and thus prayed 
To father Zeus, the hut again he entered, 

255 And put the goblet back into the coffer : 

Then came he and stood before his hut, for now 
At heart he wished to view the terrible clash 
Of Trojans and Achaians. Armed meanwhile, 
With mighty-souled Patroclus 'gan they marching, 
Full of high thoughts to rush upon the Trojans. 
And forth they now did pour, like way-side wasps, 

260 Dwelling in way-side nests, when silly children 
After their manner, teasing evermore, 
Disquiet them ; and thus they bring on many 
A common mischief; for, in passing by, 
Should some way-faring wight unwittingly 
Chance to disturb them, sure with mighty heart 

265 Forth fly they one and all, and guard their brood : 
With spirit and heart of such, the Myrmidons 
Now from the ships poured forth ; and there uprose 
War-shout unquenchable. Loud now Patroclus 
Cried out. and cheered his comrades : " Myrmidons ! 



442 THE ILIAD. XVI. 



I 



1 Ye comrades of prince Peleus' son Achilles, 

270 ' Be men, my friends, and call to mind fierce prowess ! 
' That so in close-hand fight may we his servants 
1 Honour Peleides, who is far the bravest 
1 Of Argives at the ships : and so may Atreides, 
1 The broad-realmed Agamemnon, learn to know 
1 His own bewilderment, in that he put 
' No honour upon the bravest of Achaians." 

275 So saying, he stirred the spirit and heart of all. 
And all together fell they upon the Trojans \ 
And terribly the galleys round about 
Re-echoed at the shouting of Achaians. 
Meanwhile the Trojans, soon as e'er they saw 
Menoitius' doughty son, himself and squire # 
Gleaming in armour, stirred was every heart ; 

280 And their lines moved, thinking that at the ships 
Foot-swift Peleides now had cast aside 
His rancour and had chosen friendship rather : 
And each 'gan peering anxiously about 
Which way to escape sheer ruin. Now first Patroclus 
Darted with glittering spear right in their midst 

285 Where thickest were they rushing in confusion 
By the ship-stern of bold Protesilaus ; 
And hit Pyrsechmes, who from Amydon 
Led the Pseonian host equipped with horses 
Prom Axios' stream, broad-flowing : him he hit 
On the right shoulder ; backward in the dust 

290 With a loud wail he pitched : and the Pseonians, 
His comrades, round about him quaked for fear: 
For fear indeed amongst them all Patroclus 
Had sent by slaying their chieftain, who was ever 

* Automedon; see above, line 219. 



book IT. 443 

Their first and best in fighting. Thus he drave them 
Back from the ships, and quenched the blazing fire : 
So there half-burnt the ship was left behind : 
And they, the Trojans, were in dire dismay 
'Midst awful din : and 'mongst the hollow galleys 
The Danaans poured along ; and uprose din, 
Unceasing. As when Zeus, the iightning-rouser, 
Removes from some great mountain's lofty crest 
A cloudy mist, whereat forthwith appear 
The foreland heights, and all the peaks, and glens ; 

4J00 And ether boundless down from heaven is opened ; 
So from their ships the Danaans thrust away 
The waiteful fire, and took fresh breath a little : 
But from the battle was there yet no swerving : 
For not yet did the Trojans flee outright 
With headlong hurry from the dusky ships 
Under the onslaught of Achaian w r arriors : 

-305 But stood against them yet, and but perforce 

Retreated from the ships. Then 'mongst the leaders 

Man slaughtered man amid the scattered battle : 

And foremost now Menoitius' doughty son 

With beechen spear smote Are'ilycus, 

His thigh, just as he had turned about, and forth 

He drave the brass right through it ; and the bone 

310 Was broken by the spear ; and headlong down 
He fell upon the earth : then Menelaus, 
Dear unto Ares, wounded Thoas' breast, 
Left bare beside his shield, and loosed his limbs. 
Meanwhile, Phyleides, having watched Amphiclus 
As on he rushed, lunged first and smote his buttock, 
Where a man's brawn is thickest ; and the sinews 

315 Were severed round the spear's point ; and dark gloom 



444 THE ILIAD. XVI. 

Enwrapped his eyes. Anon the sons of Nestor, — 
One, prince Antilochus, with a sharp lance 
Wounded Atymnios ; and the brazen spear 
He drave right through his flank 'twixt hip and rib, 
And forwards down he fell : but hand to hand 
With spear against Antilochus rushed Maris, 

320 In anger for his brother's sake, and stood 
Before the lifeless body ; but at him, 
Ere he could wound, the godlike Thrasymed # 
Lunged first, nor missed his aim, swift at his shoulder ; 
And the spear's edge stripped bare his topmost arm 
Of all its thews, and crushed the very bone ; 

325 And down he fell a heavy thump, and darkness 

O'erwhelmed his eyes. Thus indeed, by two brothers, 
Were these two brothers killed, and went to Hades, 
Sarpedon's gallant friends, lance-famed, the sons 
Of Amisodaros ; yea him, who reared 
The dire Chimsera, bane to many a wight. 

330 Meanwhile, Oileus' son, the lesser Ajax, 
Bushing on Cleoboulos captured him, 
Alive, entangled in the battle-throng ; 
But on the spot with hilted sword he smote 
His neck and loosed his strength ; whereat the sword 
Became all heated reeking with the blood ; 
And purple death and violent doom gat hold, 

335 And closed his eyes. Then Peneleus and Lycon 
In battle met together ; for they had missed 
Each other with their lances, and in vain 
They both had hurled ; so now again with swords 
Together met they twain : then Lycon smote 
The fore-piece of his foeman's horse-haired helmet,. 

* Brother to Antilochus. 



book IT. 445 

But at the hilt his cutlass snapped in shivers : 

340 Then Peneleus, he struck him on the neck 

Beneath his ear ; and the whole sword plunged in ; 
And only skin withstood ; whereat his head 
Hung on one side, and loosed were all his limbs. 
Meriones meanwhile with rapid feet 
Came upon Acamas, mounting his chariot, 
And stabbed him, his right shoulder : so he fell 

345 From out his car, and gloom o'erwhelmed his eyes. 
Anon with ruthless brass Idomeneus 
Stabbed Erymas, his mouth ; where right throughout 
The brazen spear passed underneath his brain, 
And shattered the white bones ; and from his jaws 
Were dashed his teeth ; and filled were both his eyes 
"With blood, which also from his mouth and nostrils 

350 He blew forth, gaping ; and death's gloomy cloud 
Enfolded him. So thus these Danaan leaders 
Did each one slay his man. And as grim wolves 
Attack young goats or lambs, and from the flocks 
Carry them off by stealth, when on the hills 
They 're scattered through the shepherd's heedlessness : 
The wolves behold them, and soon tear in pieces 

355 The strengthless-hearted prey ; so now the Danaans 
Attacked the Trojans, who at once bethought them 
Of flight ill-sounding, and forgat fierce prowess. — 
Now ever fain was Ajax, he the huge, 
To hurl his lance at brazen-harnessed Hector : 
But he, with skill in battle, covering him 

360 With bull's-hide buckler 'thwart his ample shoulders, 
Kept sharp look out for heavy fall of darts 
And arrows' whiz. Already indeed he marked 
War's vict'ry shifting to the other side : 



446 THE ILIAD. XVI. 

Nathless he stayed, and saved his trusty comrades. 

And as when from Olympus to the sky 

A cloud comes forth from awful upper ether, 

365 When Zeus is spreading out a hurricane ; 

So rose from forth the ships the Trojans' cry 
And rout ; for not in order went they back. 
Swift-footed horses now did bear off Hector, 
Armour and all ; so left he in the lurch 
His Trojan troops, those whom despite their will 
The deep-dug trench did hinder. And in the trench 

370 Many swift chariot-horses brake and left 

Their masters' chariots, chariot-pole snapt short. 
And now with thoughts of mischief 'gainst the Trojans 
Patroclus, cheering eagerly his Danaans, 
Pursued the foe ; and they with cry and rout, 
When they were sundered thus, filled every track : 
And from beneath their throngs a whirl of dust 

375 Was spread on high : and back from ship and hut 
To Town full stretch did gallop firm-hoofed horses. 
And wheresoe'er Patroclus saw their troops 
Most in confusion, thither sure he drave, 
Cheering his horses on : and from their cars 
Headlong did warriors fall beneath the wheels ; 
And chariots tumbled rattling topside down. 

380 But the swift horses, deathless, which the gods 
Had erewhile given as gallant gifts to Peleus, 
Leaped clean athwart the trench, fain to hie onward ; 
And eager after Hector was his heart, 
For fain he was to hit him : him howe'er 
His nimble-footed horses bare away. — 
And as beneath a storm in autumn-time 

385 All the dark earth is laden heavily, 



book IT. 447 

When Zeus pours water down most boisterous, 
What time he 's wroth and bears a grudge at men, 
Such as, regardless of the gods' high vengeance, 
With might judge crooked judgments in assembly, 
And thrust away fair right : # their rivers then 
Are all overflowing full, and mountain-streams 

390 Plough many a sloping cliff away ; and gushing 
Mightily roar they headlong from the mountains 
Down to the purple sea ; whereby the works 
Of husbandmen are brought to nought : e'en so 
Loud roared the Trojan mares distressed in running. 
Anon Patroclus, when he had thus mowed down 

395 The foremost lines, drave back again the foe 
Unto the ships, nor suffered them, though fain, 
To reach the Town : but on he rushed and slew, 
Betwixt the lofty wall and ships and river, 
And took revenge on many. First then Pronoos 
He hit with glittering spear upon his breast, 

400 Left bare beside his shield ; and loosed his limbs ; 
And down he fell a heavy thump : and next, 
He hasted after Thestor, Enops' son : 
Sitting in fair-wrought chariot was he, crouching ; 
For quite astounded was he in wits, and thus 
From out his hands the reins had slipped : so him 
Patroclus now approached and with his lance 

405 Stabbed his right cheek, and ran him through the teeth : 
Then catching hold he dragged him by his lance 
Over the chariot-rail : as when, down-sitting 
On a projecting cliff, some fisherman 
With flaxen line and glittering brass t drags fortn 

* One might almost suppose Homer had heard some sort of rumour of the 
Noaehian deluge, and the cause of it. Gen. vi. 11-13, etc. 

t Probahly, a harpoon, or spear, with line attached. See Odyssey: B. x. line 124. 



448 THE ILIAD. XVI. 

A mighty fish from out the sea : e'en thus 
With gleaming spear he dragged the gasping foe 

410 From out his car ; and down upon his face 

There thrust him : so he fell, and life soon left him. 

Then with a stone he wounded Eryalos, 

On his mid pate, as he was rushing on : 

And all in twain within his mighty helmet 

The skull was cleft ; whereat fell he to earth 

Head foremost down ; and Death, the spirit-breaker, 

415 Enfolded him. Then Erymas, and Echios, 
And Damastorides Tlepolemos, — 
Amphoteros, and Pyres, and Epaltes, 
Ipheus, Evippos, also Polymelos 
Argeades, — all these, one after other, 
Down brought he low upon the bounteous earth. 
Anon, Sarpedon, soon as e'er he saw 

420 His beltless-coated comrades thus bowed down 
By hands of Menoitiades Patroclus, 
He called and thus addressed his godlike Lycians : 
" For shame ! Lycians, whither are ye fleeing ! 
4 Now be ye nimble : I, I '11 meet this man, 
' And learn, Who may this be so mighty strong : 
' Indeed much mischief has he wrought already 

425 ' Upon the Trojans ; for he has loosed the knees 

* Of many a one and noble." Spake he, and sprang 

All armed from forth his chariot to the ground. 

Patroclus also, when he saw, leaped forth, 

On the other side, from off his chariot-board. 

And they, yea as upon some lofty rock 

Two vultures fight, hook-beaked, with crooked talons, 

430 Loud screaming ; so did these with battle-shout 
Now rush each one at other. But the son 



BOOK n. 



449 



Of wily Chronos eyed them and felt pity ; 

Then straight addressed his wife and sister, Here : 
Me, alas ! for that it is my lot 
That my Sarpedon, dearest of mankind, 
Be slain by Menoitiades Patroclus ! 
My heart in twain does yearn, pond'ring in mind, 
Whether to catch him up while yet alive 
From out the lamentable fight and set him 
In Lycia's fertile land, or whether now 
Under the hands of Menoitiades 
To bow him down." Whereat thus answered him 

The large-eyed lady Here : " Chronides, 
terriblest ! what word is this thou say'st ? 
Wouldst thou release and free from hateful death 
A mortal man, unto his doom once destined ? 
Do so : but sure of all us other gods 
None will applaud thee. This yet else 1 11 say, 
And lay it thou in thy heart : if to his home 
Sarpedon living shouldst thou send, — Consider, 
Lest of the gods some other too shall wish 
From the stern fight to rescue his dear son : 
For fighting round Priam's mighty Town are many 
Sons of the deathless gods, in whom thou 'It plant 
Terrible rancour. But if dear to thee 
He is, and if thy heart indeed laments him, 
Yet Let him be bowed down in sturdy fight 
By hands of Menoitiades Patroclus : 
But when his life and soul have quitted him, 
Dispatch sound Sleep and Death to bear him forth, 
Until they reach broad Lycia's land ; and there 
Shall friends and kinsfolk give him solemn burial, 

for all this 

29 



With funeral mound and gravestone : 



450 THE ILIAD. XVI. 

1 Is the due honour of the dead." She spake : 
Whereat the father both of men and gods 
Did not refuse compliance : but to the earth 
A shower of bloody drops he rained, in honour 

460 Of his dear son, who far from fatherland 
Now by Patroclus must be done to death 
In Troy's rich-cloddy field. So now in attack 
When close they came together, then Patroclus 
Smote first the far-renowned Thrasymelos ; 
(The gallant squire was he of lord Sarpedon ;) 
He smote him in the belly's lower part, 

465 And loosed his limbs. Anon with glittering spear 
At him Sarpedon lunged, but missed the man ; 
The horse howe'er he wounded with his lance 
Pedasos, # his right shoulder ; who with groans 
Breathed forth his life, and down in dust he fell 
Shrieking, and soon his life's breath fled away. 
Aloof then swerving stood the other twain : 

470 The cross-bar creaked, and tangled in confusion 

Now were their reins, when thus in dust was lying 
The side-reined horse. A remedy indeed 
Spear-famed Automedon soon found for this, 
For from beside his brawny thigh he plucked 
His long sharp sword, then darted and cut loose 
The side-reined horse ; nor loitered he about it. 

475 Thus right became the pair, and in their traces 
Stood at full stretch : meanwhile again together 
Met the two chiefs for life-devouring combat. 
Again indeed with glittering spear Sarpedon 
Now missed his mark ; and over the left shoulder 
Of lord Patroclus went the lance's point, 

* See -.above,- at line 153, etc. 



BOOK n. 



451 



And hit him not : next on rushed He with weapon, 

480 Patroclus ; and from His hand not in vain 

Escaped the dart, but hit just where the midriff 
Hedges the crowded heart : and down he fell ; 
As when some oak-tree falls, or a white poplar, 
Or lofty pine-tree, which upon the hills 
Ship- wrights hew out with newly-sharpened axes, 
To be ship-timber ; so, before his horses 

485 And chariot, stretched lay He, gnashing his teeth, 
Clutching the gory dust. E'en as a lion 
Attacks a herd, and slays a tawny bull, 
Of mighty heart, amidst the slow-paced cows ; 
And 'neath the lion's jaws he groans and dies ; 
So did the leader of the shielded Lycians 

490 Fetch hard, as 'neath Patroclus was he slain, 

And thus he addressed by name his trusty comrade : 
" Glaucus my darling ! Warrior 'mongst brave men ! 
* Both a bold spearman and a doughty warrior 
1 Now must thou be or never : now to thee 
' Welcome be ugly War, if keen thou art. 
1 To all the Lycian captains first go round, 

495 ' And urge them to do battle for Sarpedon ; 

' And then with weapon fight for me thou also. 

' For unto thee shall I forsooth hereafter 

' Be matter of reproach and downcast shame 

4 Unceasingly for ever, if the Achaians 

' Shall of mine armour strip me, fallen in fight 

500 ' Here 'mongst the gathered ships. But bear thee bravely ; 
' And cheer on all our host." As thus he spake, 
The term of death o'erwhelmed him, eyes and nostrils : 
For on his breast the foeman set his heel 
And pulled the shaft from out the flesh ; whereat 



452 THE ILIAD. XVI. 

Followed the midriff with it ; so at once 

505 He plucked forth both the spear's point, and his life. 
There on the spot the Myrmidons meanwhile 
Held fast the snorting horses, fain to flee, 
Now that left empty was their masters' chariot. 
Sore grief at hearing thus his chieftain's voice 
Arose in Glaucus, and his heart was moved, 
Because unable was he to give aid. 

510 His arm now grasped he and pressed it with his hand, 
For sorely pain him did the wound, where Teucer 
With arrow from the lofty wall erewhile, 
In warding mischief from his friends, had shot him, 
As he was rushing on. # So now he prayed 
On this wise to Apollo the far-shooter : 
"Hear me, king, who in Lycia's fertile land 

515 ' Art somewhere, or in Troy ; and everywhere 
' Able art Thou to hear a man in trouble ; 
6 As now does trouble come on me. For here 
' This cruel wound I have ; and by keen pangs 
' Sore harassed is mine arm, nor can my blood 
i Become dried up ; and weighed down is my shoulder 
' By this distress : nor can I hold my spear 

520 i Steadfast, nor come against the foe and fight : 
1 And perished has our choicest man, Sarpedon, 
4 The son of Zeus, who brings indeed no aid 
'To his own child. But thou, yea thou, king, 
4 Heal me this cruel wound, and lull my pains, 
4 And give me strength ; that I may cheer and urge 

525 4 My Lycian comrades on to fight, and I 

' Myself may battle for our chief's dead corse. ,, 
So spake he praying ; whereat Apollo Phoebus 

* See Book xii., line 387. 



BOOK IT. 



453 



To him gave ear : his pangs he forthwith quelled, 

And from the painsome wound staunched the dark blood, 

And put strength into his heart. And Glaucus felt 

530 Within his bosom and rejoiced, that thus 

The mighty god had quickly heard his prayer. 

First went he round to all the Lycian captains, 

And urged them to do battle for Sarpedon : 

Then with huge strides he went and sought the Trojans ; 

Went to Polydamas Panthoides, 

535 And prince Agenor : then to iEneas also, 

And brazen-harnessed Hector : standing near 
Now spake he thus in winged words : — " Forgetful 
1 Now art thou, Hector, quite of thine allies, 
1 Who for thy sake are losing here their lives, 
1 Far from their friends and fatherland : and thou 

540 ' To aid them carest not : low lies Sarpedon, 
1 The shielded Lycians' leader, who protected 
1 Lycia, both by his might and righteous judgments. 
' Him now has brazen Ares with the spear 
' Bowed down beneath Patroclus. But, friends, 
' Come to my aid, and be ye ashamed at heart, 
' Lest Myrmidons shall carry off his armour, 

545 ' And treat his corse unseemly, in their wrath 
' About so many a Danaan that has perished, 
1 Whom with our spears we've slain at yon swift ships." 
He spake : and grief unbearable, unyielding, 
Gat hold upon the Trojans, high and low, 
Seeing he was, although a foreigner, 

550 A pillar of their state ; for many troops 

Did come with him, and 'mongst them he himself 

Was best in fighting. So in eager haste 

Against the Danaans went they straight ; and Hector, 



454 THE ILIAD. XVI. 

In wrath about Sarpedon, was their leader. 
Meanwhile the shaggy bosom of Patroclus, 
Menoitius' son, was rousing up the Achaians : 

555 First either Ajax, fain although themselves, 
He thus addressed : " either Ajax ! now, 
' Now to defend us let it please ye both, 
' E'en as indeed ye 're wont erewhile to be 
i Among brave men, or be ye even more bold. 
i Low lies the man, who leapt the Achaians' wall 
' Foremost, Sarpedon : but could we now 

560 ' But bear him off and treat him with dishonour, 
' And from his shoulders carry away his harness, 
' And slay with ruthless weapon any comrades 
' Who fight in his defence ! " He spake : and fain 
E'en of themselves were they to turn the foe. 
Now when their lines on both sides had they strengthened, 
Trojans and Lycians, Myrmidons and Argives, 

565 With war-cry terrible they came together, 
To battle for the dead man's corse : and loud 
Clashed now the war-men's armour. Zeus, meanwhile, 
Spread murd'rous night over the sturdy battle, — 
That murd'rous round about his child might be 
The toil of combat. Foremost then the Trojans 
Pushed back the quick-eyed Argives : for a man, 

570 No-wise the worst 'mongst Myrmidons, was killed, 
High-souled Agacleus' son, the prince Epeigeus, 
Who in Budeion's pleasant Town erewhile 
Held lordly sway : but as he then did slaughter 
A noble kinsman, fugitive he came 
To Peleus and to silver-footed Thetis : 

575 So with their son Achilles, doughty in battle, 
They sped him forth to' horse-renowned Ilion, 



book n. 455 

To fight the Trojans. Him now, laying hold 
Upon the corse, bright Hector with a stone 
Hit on the head ; and all in twain was cleft 
The skull within his mighty helm ; and down 
Pitched he head foremost on the corse ; and Death, 

580 Scatt'ring the spirit, whelmed him round about. 
Now in Patroclus grief arose forthwith 
For comrade slain, and through the foremost fighters 
On rushed he straight, like a swift hawk, that scares 
Jackdaws and starlings ; so didst thou, Patroclus, 
Driver of horses, rush along right forward 

585 At Lycians and at Trojans : for at heart 

Wroth wast thou for thy comrade. With a stone 

Then smote he Sthenelaos, the dear son 

Of lord Ithsemeneus, upon his neck, 

And snapt thereof the sinews. Hereupon, 

Retired both foremost fighters and bright Sector. 

As far as is a lengthy goat-spear's cast, 

590 Which a man launches forth to try his luck, 
Or in contested game, or even in battle 
Before life-shattering foemen ; so far back 
Retired the Trojans, and the Achaians pushed them. 
Then Glaucus first, the shielded Lycians' leader, 
Faced right about, and slew high-souled Bathycles, 

595 Calcon's dear son, who had his home in Hellas, 
And for his wealth and riches was distinguished 
Among the Myrmidons. Him in mid breast 
Glaucus, on sudden turning, smote with spear, 
Just when o'ertaking Him was he in pursuit : 
And heav'ly down he fell : and veh'ment sorrow 
Gat hold on Argives, that a doughty man 

600 Had fall'n ; but mighty joyful were the Trojans. 



456 THE ILIAD. XVI. 

So thronging round him came they all and stood : 

Nor did the Achaians quite forget their prowess, 

But brought their strength to bear right straight upon them. 

Meriones now slew a helmed warrior, 

A Trojan chief, Laogonos, bold son 

Of lord Onetor, who was priest of Zeus 

605 On Ida, and was honoured of the people 

As though he were a god : him 'neath his jaw 

And ear Meriones now smote ; and life 

Soon left his limbs, and forthwith hateful darkness 

Gat hold of him. Then at Meriones 

JSneas launched a brazen shaft, in hope 

To hit him stepping on beneath his shield ; 

610 But looking forth he shunned the brazen spear, 
By forward stooping down, and the long shaft 
Stuck in the ground behind him ; where awhile 
The spear's butt-end yet quivered, till at length 
Ares the mighty war-god slacked its force : 
So quivering passed iEneas' lance to the earth, ] 

615 And sped in vain from forth his brawny hand. # j 
Then was J3neas wroth at heart, and said : 
" Meriones ! yea dancer though thou art, 
* My spear had soon laid thee to rest for ever, 
' Had I but hit thee ! " Whereupon in answer 
Spear-famed Meriones addressed him thus : 

620 " 'Tis hard, iEneas, mighty though thou art, 
' For thee to quench the spirit of every man, 
' Whoe'er 'gainst thee shall haply come and fight : 
i And thou too art of mortal frame, I ween. 
' If but might / with lucky aim hit thee, 
' Thy midst, with my sharp spear, thou soon shouldst give, 

* These two lines are generally thought to be an interpolation. 



book IT. 457 

1 Stalwart although and trusting in thy hands, 

1 Glory to me, and thy soul to horse-famed Hades/' 

He spake : whereat Menoitius' doughty son 

Rated him thus : " Meriones ! why talking 

'Art Thou in such sort, brave although thou art? 

' Not ever a whit, darling, will the Trojans 

1 Budge from the corse for our reproachful words, 

6 Till the earth shall hug down some one : for the issue 

' Of battle is in blows ; of words, in counsel. 

' For heap of talk no manner of need then have we, 

' But to be fighting. " So saying, on led He, 

And with him followed the other godlike man. 

And as the sound of wood-men felling timber 

In mountain-glens arises, and the noise 

Is heard afar ; so from the broad-wayed earth 

Uprose the clashing din of these, of brass, 

Of oxhide shields and bucklers, pricked by swords 

And double-fitted spears. And sure no longer 

Might lord Sarpedon now be recognized 

By any man, howe'er so well he had known him ; 

For that from top of head to tip of toes 

With darts and blood and dust all covered was he. 

And ever thronging round the corse were they, 

Like as when flies in cattle-stall are buzzing 

About the milk-filled pails, in early summer, 

When bowls are drenched with milk ; e'en so were they 

All crowding round the corse : not once howe'er 

Turned Zeus his beaming eyes from this grim battle, 

But down he looked on them unceasingly ; 

And much about the slaughter of Patroclus 

In earnest mood he thought and pondered, whether, 

There o'er divine Sarpedon, in strong fight 



458 THE ILIAD. XVI. 

Bright Hector now with sword should slay yea Him, 

650 And carry off the harness from his shoulders ; 
Or whether yet to enlarge their utter toil 
With toils yet greater. But more gain it seemed 
To him on pondering thus, that the brave squire 
Of Peleus' son Achilles should push back 
Both brazen-harnessed Hector and his Trojans 

655 Unto the Town, and take the lives of many. 
So now in Hector foremost stirred he up 
A strengthless mood : whereat upon his chariot 
He mounted and for flight wheeled round, and bade 
His Trojans all flee also : for he knew 
The sacred scales of Zeus. Nor steadfast then 
Remained the mighty Lycians ; but all fled, 

660 When thus they saw their king stricken to the heart, 
Lying in a heap of corses ; for upon him 
Had many fall'n, what time Chronion strained 
The sturdy fray to the utmost. Now indeed 
From off Sarpedon's shoulders they did strip 
The brazen harness gleaming bright, the which 

665 Menoitius' doughty son gave to his comrades 
To bear off to the hollow ships. Meanwhile, 
Cloud-gatherer Zeus accosted thus Apollo : 
" Now pr'ythee come, dear Phoebus, draw Sarpedon 
' From forth yon darts, and cleanse the dark blood off, 
' And bear him then a far way forth, and wash him 
' In river-streams, and 'noint him with ambrosia, 

670 ' And put about him raiment all ambrosial. 

i And speed him home in haste with speedy escort, 

' His bearers, the twin brothers Death and Sleep, 

1 For swiftly in broad Lycia's fertile land 

' They'll set him : there shall friends and kinsfolk give him 



book II 459 

i A solemn burial, both with funeral mound 

675 ' And gravestone; the last honours of the dead." 
He spake : whereat Apollo was not loth 
To obey the sire : but forth from Ida's heights 
Down went he into the awful battle-din : 
Then straight from out the darts he lifted up 
Godlike Sarpedon, carried him far forth, 
Washed him in river-streams, and with ambrosia 

680 Anointed him, and put about him raiment 

Ambrosial ; and with speedy escort sped him ; 
His bearers, the twin brothers Death and Sleep ; 
Who swiftly in broad Lycia's fertile land 
Did set him down. Meanwhile Patroclus, urging 
His horses and his squire Automedon, 

685 Began to chase the Trojans and the Lycians, 
And made a sore mistake ; — fond that he was ! 
For had he minded lord Peleides' 'best, 
He might have 'scaped from black death's violent doom. 
But mightier always is the mind of Zeus, 
Than ever man's mind : for indeed can Zeus 
Dismay a man though bold, and eas'ly take 

690 The victory away, e'en when Himself 
Shall stir him on to fight : as also now 
In this man's breast 'twas He urged on the spirit. 
Then whom first, Patroclus, didst thou slay, 
And whom last, when the gods bade Thee to death ? 
Adrastos first, Echeclos, and Autonoos ; — 

695 Perimos Megades, and Melanippos, 
Epistor too : then also Elasos, 
And Moulios and Pylartes : these he slew : 
The rest all turned, each one with thought for flight. 
Then had the sons of Argives captured Troy 



460 THE ILIAD. XVI. 

The lofty-gated, 'neath Patroclus' hands ; 
For with his lance full foremost did he rage ; 

700 Had not Apollo Phoebus planned him mischief, 
And stood upon the strong-built tower, and given 
Help to the Trojans. Thrice indeed Patroclus 
'Gan climbing on the high wall's jutting angle, 
And thrice Apollo with his deathless hands 
Dinted his brilliant shield and thrust him off. 

705 But when the fourth time on he rushed, imp like, 
Then awfully Apollo, the far-shooting, 
Threatened him thus and spake : "Jove-sprung Patroclua, 
' Withdraw thee ! Not beneath thy spear forsooth 
' Doomed is't the high-souled Trojans' Town be sacked; 

I Nor yet by Achilles ; who is far thy better." 
710 He spake : and back Patroclus hied him far, 

To shun the wrath of Phoebus, the far-shooting. 
Now holding in the Scaian gates was Hector 
His firm-hoofed horses ; for he was in doubt, 
Whether to drive again into the throng 
And fight ; or whether should he call his troops 
To draw themselves together by the wall. 

71o As thus he pondered, unto him drew near 
Phoebus Apollo, in guise of sturdy warrior, 
And youthful, — Asios ; the maternal uncle 
Was he of the horseman Hector, and own brother 
To Hecuba, and son to Phrygian Dymas, 
Who by the streams of Sangar had his dwelling : 

720 Now spake Apollo Phoebus in such guise : 

" O Hector, why from battle dost thou cease? 
? For never a whit behoves it thee. O 'would, 
i I were as much thy better, as forsooth 

I I am thy worse : then quickly to thy horror 



BOOK II. 461 

1 Sure shouldst thou from the battle draw thee back. 

1 But come, thy firm-hoofed horses drive thou forth 

' Against Patroclus, if in any way 

' Him haply mayst thou kill, and unto thee 

* May Apollo give the glory." Saying thus, 

Along the toil of warriors back again 

The god departed : then bright Hector bade 

Doughty Cebriones to drive his horses 

Into the fight : anon Apollo went 

730 And plunged into the throng ; and 'mongst the Achaians 
Put mischievous confusion, and gave glory 
To Hector and his Trojans. Yet did Hector 
Pass by the Danaans all, and slew them not, 
But on against Patroclus he did drive 
His firm-hoofed horses. Whereupon Patroclus 
On the other side from chariot sprang to the earth, 

735 With lance in his left hand ; and with the other 
He grasped a rugged flint-stone, which his hand 
Quite hid : then taking steadfast stand he flung ; 
And far forsooth he was not from the man, 
Nor launched his bolt in vain ; but hit 
With the sharp stone Cebriones, his forehead, 
Lord Hector's charioteer (a bastard son 

740 Of glorious Priam), the horses' reins in hand ; 

And the stone caught his eye-brows both at once ; 

Nor did the bone withstand it ; and to the earth 

Fell there his eyes in dust before his feet : 

And from his fair-wrought chariot-board pitched He 

Down like a diver ; and life left his bones. 

In mock'ry then didst thou, horseman Patroclus, 

745 Address him thus : " rare ! a nimble man 
1 Indeed it is : how lightly does he topple ! 



462 THE ILIAD. XVI. 

9 If somewhere now i' th' fishy deep he were, 
1 Though stormy might it be and rough, — this man 
' Might give to many a one their fill, by jumping 
' Down from the ship and diving after oysters ! 
' So lightly on the ground from out his chariot 

750 ' Topples he now : eh ! tumblers in good sooth 

1 There are amongst the Trojans too !" So saying, 

On lord Cebriones he stepped, with spring 

Yea of a lion, when in his breast he's wounded 

In ravaging the folds, and he 's undone 

By his own courage ; so didst thou, Patroclus, 

All hot leap on Cebriones. But Hector 

755 On t'other side to the earth leapt from his chariot : 
And for Cebriones these twain did battle, 
Like as two lions, both hungry, when they fight, 
Full of high courage, for a slaughtered hind 
On mountain-tops ; e'en so were these two Masters 
Of battle-cry, both Menoitiades 

760 Patroclus, and bright Hector, fain to gash 

Each one the other's flesh with ruthless brass, 
Over Cebriones. Now when once hold 
Had Hector of his head, he let not go : 
On t'other side Patroclus too had hold 
Upon his foot : and now too did the rest, 
Trojans and Danaans, join the sturdy battle. 

765 And as when Euros from South-east, and Notos 
From South-west, each against the other, strive 
In mountain-glens to shake the deep thick forest- 
Oak-tree, and ash, and stringy-rinded cornel, 
Which dash their tapering branches each 'gainst other 
With uproar awful ; and of breaking boughs 
Is clatt'ring crash ; so Trojans and Achaians 



book II. 463 

770 Sprang at each other and did slay ; nor thought 
For mischievous dismay had either side. 
Then round about Cebriones were planted 
Many sharp spears, and many winged arrows 
That leapt from strings ; and many a heavy pebble 
Smote hard the shields of them that battled round him: 

775 And he the while, his horsemanship forgotten, 
Huge, in huge length, did lie in a whirl of dust. 
Now whilst the Sun was climbing the mid heaven, 
Darts did indeed on both sides reach their marks, 
And men did fall : but when the westering Sun 
Passed over towards the unyoking time of oxen, 

780 Then sure beyond all measure of their fate 

The Achaians had the better. From the darts 
The corse of lord Cebriones they dragged 
Beyond the Trojans' cry, and from the shoulders 
Stripped off his harness ; and Patroclus rushed, 
With heart all bent for mischief, on the Trojans. 
Thrice on then shouting frightfully he rushed, 

785 Like unto hasty Ares ; also thrice 

Nine men he slew ; but when the fourth time on 

He darted, like an imp, — then, Patroclus, 

In sight appeared the ending of thy life ! 

For Phoebus terrible in the sturdy battle 

Did meet thee. Him advancing through the throng 

Patroclus noted not ; for in thick mist 

790 Shrouding himself he chanced that way : anon, 
He stood behind, and with his hand, palm down, 
Smote him behind his midriff and broad shoulders : 
Dizzy whereat, his eyes danced round and round. 
Now from his head Apollo Phoebus dashed 
His helmet off : and 'neath the horses' feet 



464 THE ILIAD. XVI. 






795 That eye-holed casque rolled ringing on and on ; 

And fouled with blood and dust was the horse-hair crest 

To be so fouled in dust was not indeed 

The wont aforetime of this horse-haired helm : 

But of a godlike Man 'twas wont to shield 

The head and comely front, e'en of Achilles : 

Yet unto Hector Zeus gave now to wear it 

800 Upon his head : for near at hand was death 

For the late wearer : and his long-helved spear, 
Weighty, brass-headed, strong and stout, was now 
All shivered in his hands : and from his shoulders 
The shield that reached from head to foot fell down 
With belt upon the ground : and lord Apollo, 
Jove's son, undid his corslet. Then gat hold 

805 Bewilderment upon his wits, and 'neath him 

His comely limbs were loosed ; so amazed he stood. 

Anon from near at hand behind his back 

Smote him betwixt the shoulders with sharp spear 

A Dardan man, Panthoides Euphorbos ; 

Who mastered all his age in skill with spear 

And charioteering, and in rapid feet : 

810 For twenty men already from their chariots 

Down had he some time brought, since to learn war 
First hither had he come with horse and chariots. 
'Twas he first launched at thee, horseman Patroclus, 
A bolt, but slew thee not : his ashen shaft 
From out thy flesh he snatched, and back again 
He ran and mingled in the common throng ; 

815 Nor did he bide Patroclus in the fight, 

Unarmed although he was. And now Patroclus, 
By the god's blow subdued, and by the spear, 
To avoid a violent doom 'gan draw him back 



book II. 465 

Into his comrades' troop again. But Hector, 
Soon as*he saw the mighty-souled Patroclus 
Withdrawing back again, hurt by keen weapon, 
At him full near he came along the lines, 
And in the lowest part 'twixt hip and rib 
Wounded him with the spear ; and drave the brass 
Through-out : and down he fell a heavy thump ; 
And mightily distressed the Achaians' host. 
And like as when a lion presses hard 
An un tired boar in battle ; and they twain 

825 Fight on the mountain-tops with mighty courage 
For some small well ; for both do wish to drink ; 
And by his might the lion subdues his foe 
Panting full sore ; so now at hand with spear 
Hector Priamides bereft of life 
Menoitius , doughty son, who had slain so many ; 
And glorying o'er him spake these winged words : 

830 " Patroclus ! thinking wast thou sure, I ween, 
1 On ravaging our City, and of robbing 

* Our Trojan women of the day of freedom, 
' And taking them away on board thy ships 

* To thy dear fatherland ; Ah, simpleton ! 

' For in defence of them, Hectors swift horses 
■ Apace have galloped forward to the battle : 

835 ' Myself too am distinguished for the spear 
'Amongst our warlike Trojans, and 'tis I 
1 Ward off their day of slavery : but thee 
' Shall vultures here devour. Ah wretch ! no avail 
' To thee has been Achilles, brave although, 
1 Who stayed behind himself, and doubtless gave 
1 To thee at coming forth full many a charge ; 

840 " Come not to me, my horseman, Patroclus, 

30 



466 THE ILIAD. XVI. 

" Back to the hollow galleys, till at least 

The blood-stained mail on slaughterous Hector s breast 
" Thou shalt have cleft asunder :" so mayhap 
' To thee he spake, and moved thy witless wits." 
Then thus to him spak'st thou, horseman Patroclus, 
With failing powers : " Yea, Hector, Boast big now ; 

845 ( For given have Zeus Chronion and Apollo 

' Mast'ry to thee : and me have they with ease 

' Bowed down ; for sure 'twas they who stripped the harness 

' From off my shoulders. If 'gainst Me had come 

' Twenty but such as thou, all here had perished, 

' Bowed down beneath my spear. But baneful Doom 

' And Leto's son has killed me ; and of men, 

850 ( Euphorbos has : third only art thou to spoil me. 
' Yet else 1 11 tell thee, and lay it thou to heart : 
' Sure no, not long shalt thou go on ; but near 
' Already stands thy death and violent Doom, 
1 For thee to be bowed down beneath the hands 
i Of blemishless iEacides Achilles. " 

855 As thus he spake the term of death enwrapped him. 
And from his limbs went flitting down to Hades 
The soul, mourning its doom, in having quitted 
The bloom of life and manhood. Him though dead 
Bright Hector yet addressed : " Wherefore, Patroclus, 
' Dost prophesy for me o'erhanging ruin ? 

860 ' And who knows, but that fair-tressed Thetis' son, 
' Achilles, may be first to lose his life 
\ Smitten by this my spear?" As thus he spake, 
Planting his heel, he drew his brazen lance 
From out the wound, and from the shaft thrust back 
The corse, face upward. Straightway then with spear 
After Automedon, the godlike squire 



book II. 467 

865 Of the foot-swift ^Eacides, he strode ; 
For fain he was to hit him : but away 
Safe carried him the horses (that bright gift 
The gods to Peleus gave), — deathless and swift, 



468 THE ILIAD. XVII. 



ARGUMENT OF THE SEVENTEENTH BOOK. P. 

A sharp skirmish takes place about the body of Patroclus ; in which Mene- 
laus kills Euphorbos. Hector puts on Achilles' whole armour, stripped 
from Patroclus ; and so accoutred goes into battle. Achilles* horses 
mourn for Patroclus. Another struggle for his body takes place. Ajax 
advises Menelaus to send Antilochus to Achilles with the tidings of 
Patroclus* death. Patroclus' body is at last rescued, and borne away by 
Menelaus and Meriones. 

RHO : Menelaus gallant deeds are seen, 
And sturdy struggles for Patroclus' body. 



Not long unknown to Atreides Menelaus, 
Favoured of Ares, was Patroclus' death, 
How by the Trojans was he slain in battle : 
So came he, harnessed all in glittering brass, 
Right through the foremost fighters ; and strode round 
And round the corse ; like as about her calf 
5 Some dam that bears her first-born, and is plaintive, 
Not afore skilled in giving birth ; so strode 
Yellow-haired Menelaus round Patroclus ; 
And held his lance and good round shield before him, 
Ready to slay what foe soe'er might come 
Against the corse. Meanwhile, Panthoides, 
Famed for good ashen spear, did not lose sight 
10 Of blemishless Patroclus when he fell ; 

So drew he nigh and stood, and thus addressed 



BOOK P. 



460 



15 



20 



25 



30 



Ares-loved Menelaus : " Menelaus, 
' Jove-loved Atreides, marshaller of hosts ! 
1 Withdraw, and leave the corse, and here let be 
1 My gory spoils; for in the sturdy fight 
1 With spear not one before me 'mongst the Trojans, 
'Or 'mongst the allies far-summoned, smote Patroclus 
1 Wherefore leave me to win this gallant glory 
1 Among the Trojans, lest thee too I smite, 
' And take away thy life so honey-sweet." 
To him hereat spake thus in heavy wrath 
Yellow-haired Menelaus : " Father Zeus ! 
Sure this outrageous bragging is not comely ! 
Why sure, so mighty is a leopard's courage, 
Or lion's, or baleful wild boar's, in whose breast 
The mightiest spirit does boast itself for strength, — 
As is the courage in the sons of Panthoos, 
Wielding their ashen spears. Yet never a whit 
Joy of his manhood had his mightiness 
The horseman Hyperenor, # when on a time 
He scoffed at me, and waited my attack, 
And said how amongst the Danaan host was I 
The cravenest fighter : not howe'er did He, 
On his own feet at least, return I ween, 
To gladden his dear wife and tender parents. 
So thy strength too shall I now sure break down, 
If before me thou standest ; but hie back 
Into thy troop, I exhort thee, and be gone 
(Nor stand before my face), or ere thou suffer 
Mischief of some sort ; for when once 't is done, 
Any fool knows it then, to his cost !" He spake, 
Yet him persuaded not ; but thus he answered : 



See xiv., 516= 



470 THE ILIAD. XVII. 

"Now of a surety, Jove-loved Menelaus, 
' Full quittance shalt thou pay me for my brother, 
35 ' E'en him thou hast slain, and for this bragging talk : 
1 And in his new bride-chamber's inner room 

* His wife a widow hast thou made ; and brought 
1 Sorrow accurst and grief upon our parents. 

' A means I sure might be of lulling sorrow 

* In them thus wretched, if might I but carry 

1 And lay thy harness and thy head i' th' hands 

40 * Of Panthoos and my lady mother Phrontis. 
' But sure no longer shall the task now be 
' Untried, nor void of strife, nor yet of strength, 
1 Nor of dismay." So saying, he made a dint 
Upon the foeman's good round shield : yet through 
The brass brake not, but bent back was the point 
In the strong shield : now next, king Menelaus 

45 Atreides, having prayed to father Zeus, 

With brazen weapon on rushed He ; and pierced, 
Dowu to the roots, the foeman's throat, as back 
Was he withdrawing ; and he thrust hard home, 
Relying on his weighty hand : and forth 
Right through the tender neck the spear's point passed, 
And plump down heavily he fell, and on him 

50 His arms did ring again. And all his hair, 
Like to the Graces' hair for comeliness, 
And his fair locks, banded with gold and silver, 
Were now bedewed with blood. As when a man, 
In some lone haunt where water bubbles up 
Abundant, rears an olive-plant luxuriant, 

55 Flourishing, fair ; which breezes of all winds 

Do shake about ; and with white bloom it swells ; 
But sudden comes with mighty hurricane 



BOOK P. 



471 



A blast, and roots it up from out its trench, 

And lays it low along the ground ; e'en so 

Was now Euphorbos, of good ashen spear, 

The son of Panthoos, killed and stripped of harness 

By Atreides Menelans. And as when, 

Confiding in his might, some hill-reared lion 

May snatch a heifer, whichsoe'er is choicest, 

From out a herd at pasture ; and her neck 

First rends he away, holding her with strong teeth ; 

And then he tears, and gorges greedily 

Both blood and all the inwards : and far off 

Round him are yelling loud with all their might 

Both dogs and herdsmen, but they've no desire 

To come and face him ; for pale Fear takes hold 

Mightily on them ; so now ventured not 

The heart within the breast of e'er a foe 

To come and face the glorious Menelaus. 

Then easily had Atreides carried off 

The famous harness of Panthoides, 

Had not Apollo Phoebus envied* him ; 

And so, in likeness of a warrior, Mentes, 

Commander of the Cicons, he urged Hector, 

Match unto hasty Ares, forth against him ; 

And spake these winged words and said to him : 

" Hector ! now running in pursuit art thou 

' Of what thou canst not thus o'ertake, the horses 

6 Of warrior-souled iEacides : and hard 

6 For death-doomed men forsooth to drive or manage 

' Are they ; at least for any but Achilles ; 

1 And him a deathless mother bare. Meanwhile, 

i Lo ! Menelaus, Atreus' doughty son, 

* looked on "him, that is to say, with a grudge. 



472 THE ILIAD. XVII. 

80 l In Menoitiades' defence has killed 

' The Trojans' choicest, Panthoos' son, Euphorbos, 
1 And made an end of all his furious prowess." 
So saying, the god he went his way again 
Along the toil of warriors ; but sore grief 
Oast shadowy gloom o'er Hector, his dark soul : 
Then peered he anxiously about the lines ; 

85 And soon he noted Him now taking off 
The famous harness, and the body lying 
Dead on the ground ; and through the gaping wound 
Did stream forth blood. So through the foremost fighters 
He strode, shrill-shouting, armed in glittering brass, 
Like as a quenchless flame of king Hephaistos : 
Nor raised he the shrill battle-cry unnoticed 

90 By Atreus' son, who big with grief now spake 
Thus to his own great-hearted soul : " Ah me, 
' Alas ! if I abandon this good harness, 
' And leave Patroclus, who lies fallen here 
\ For sake of my redress, — indignant justly 
' Sure against me I fear were any Danaan, 
' Should hap to see it : but if through sense of honour 

95 ' I fight alone 'gainst Hector and his Trojans, 
' I fear lest some-how, many odds to one, 
1 They compass me about : and hitherwards 
i Is Hector of the glancing helm now leading 
' His Trojans all. But wherefore with itself 
' Holds my dear heart this converse ? When a man 
. ' Will in despite of Chance fight 'gainst a mortal 
100 * Whom a god loves, great scath soon rolls upon him : 
' Wherefore at me no righteous indignation 
' Shall e'er a Danaan feel, who haps to see me 
' Retreat before prince Hector, seeing he fights 



BOOK P. 47o 

1 At the gods' instance. Yet if might I hear 

' Somewhere but stalwart Ajax' battle-cry, 

1 Return then would we both and think of battle, 

105 ' Yea e'en in spite of Chance, if might we haply 
1 Rescue this corse for Peleus' son Achilles : 
1 Of ills for choice 'twere sure more bearable." 
While pondering was he thus in heart and soul, 
On came the Trojans' lines ; and Hector leading. 
Back then retreated he, and turning round 
Oft-times to face the foe, he left the corse : 

110 Like as a shaggy lion, whom hounds and men, 

With spears and shouting, chase from cattle-stall ; 

And his bold heart turns chill within his breast, 

For from the cattle-yard unwillingly 

He goes away ; so yellow-haired Menelaus 

Departed from Patroclus. When how r e'er 

He reached his comrades' throng, he turned him round 

115 And stood still, peering wistfully about 
After tall Ajax, son of Telamon : 
And him towards the left of all the battle 
He noted on a sudden, encouraging 
His comrades on, and urging them to fight : 
For 'mongst them had Apollo Phoebus launched 
Awful dismay : so set he off to run ; 

120 And forthwith standing by, he spake this word : 
" Ajax, this way, my darling! for Patroclus 
' Dead yonder hie we on ; if may we haply 
1 Bring but his corse, though stripped, before Achilles ; 
' For Hector of the glancing helm now has 
' And holds those goodly arms." He spake, and stirred 
The spirit of doughty Ajax : and away 

125 Through foremost fighters went he straight, and with him 



474 THE ILIAD. XVII. 

Yellow-haired Menelaus. Meanwhile Hector, 
Since off he had stripped Patroclus' famous harness, 
Was dragging him, to lop with edge of sword 
His head from shoulders, and to haul and give 
His corse to Trojan bitches : but anon 
Ajax drew nigh, with shield as 'twere a tower. 

130 Then back again hied Hector and withdrew 

Into his comrades' throng ; sprang on his chariot, 
And the fair armour gave he to his Trojans 
To carry to the Town, to be for him 
A mighty honour. Meanwhile, o'er Patroclus 
Huge Ajax put his great broad shield, and stood, 
Like any lion in his cubs' defence, 

135 When huntsmen in a wood fall in with him 

Leading his whelps, and he in his might exults, 
And draws down all his brow, shading his eyes ; 
So Ajax now bestrode the lord Patroclus. 
His stand by the other end Atreides took, 
Ares-loved Menelaus, nursing at heart 

340 A mighty grief. Anon the Lycians' leader, 
Glaucos, the son of lord Hippolochus, 
Gloomily eyeing Hector, rated him 
With this hard word : " Hector ! most choice to look at ! 
' In battle 'tis forsooth thou'rt sorely lacking. 
' Yet brave renown sure sticks to thee the same, 
' Runaway though thou art. Bethink thee now, 

145 ' How only with thine own men, born in Ilion, 

1 How couldst thou save thy City and State from ruin. 

' For of the Lycians none f faith will go 

1 To fight the Danaans in thy Town's defence : 

' Since never a thank has one for battling on 

' For ever with the foemen. How shouldst Thou, 



book P. 475 

reckless, think to save a worser man 
Amidst the battle- throng, seeing thou hast left 
At once thy guest and comrade, lord Sarpedon, 
Yonder behind, to be a prey and booty 

For Argives, Him, who while he was alive 
Was a great help both to thy Town and thee ; 
But from his body now to keep off dogs 
Not hast thou ventured ! Wherefore now I say, 
If e'er a Lycian man puts faith in me, — 
Let's home ! and unto Troy shall soon appear 
Utter destruction. but were there now 
Right fearless hearty spirit among the Trojans, 
Such as does enter into men who engage 
In toil and strife with foemen for their country, 
Soon into Ilion should we drag Patroclus. 
And to king Priam's great City did he come, — 
His corse, and might we drag him from the fight, 
Speedily would the Achaians then give up 
Sarpedon's goodly arms, and into Ilion 
Sarpedon's body might we take : for slain 
Is now the squire of That man, who's far bravest 
Of Argives at the ships, yea him whose squires 
Are bold close-fighters, But not dared in battle 
Hast Thou to look on foemen's eyes, and stand 
Before great-hearted Ajax, and fight straight ; 
Seeing he's far thy better !" With grim look 
Then Hector of the glancing helm replied : 
i Glaucos ! and wherefore haughtily dost thou, 
The like of thee, speak thus ? Sure, my darling, 

1 did think thee to be in understanding 
'Fore all, who dwell on Lycia's fertile soil 
But now I altogether scorn thv wits, 



476 THE ILIAD. XVII. 

1 When thus thou speakest : and thou say'st that 1 
' Have not dared bide the onset of huge Ajax ! 

175 ' Yet not at battle, nor at noise of chariot, 

' Shuddered have I forsooth : but ever mightier 

1 Than men's thought is the thought of Zeus, who scares 

' A warrior, bold howe'er ; and eas'ly takes 

4 His mast'ry all away, — and that when He 

4 Himself stirs one to fight. But here, my darling, 

4 Come, take thy stand by me, and see my work ; 

180 ' Whether I 'm all day idle, as thou say'st, 
4 Or whether ever a Danaan shall I stop, 
' How mighty fain soe'er he be of prowess, 
1 From doing battle for Patroclus' corse." 
So saying, he shouted loud and cheered his Trojans : 
" Trojans, and Lycians, and close-fighting Dardans ! 

185 ' Be men, my friends, and call to mind fierce prowess, 
4 While blemishless Achilles' goodly armour 
' Will I go don, which from his mightiness, 
4 Patroclus, I stripped off what time I slew him." 
So saying, away from out the dreadful battle 
W T ent Hector of the glancing helm : and running, 
With tearing pace right swiftly in pursuit, 

190 He soon o'ertook his comrades, not far gone, 

Who to the Town were bearing the famed harness 
Of Peleus' son. So now he stopped aloof 
Out of the mournful battle, and changed armour. 
His own thus gave he to his warlike Trojans 
To bear to sacred Ilion ; and he donned 
The ambrosial arms of Peleus' son Achilles, 

195 Yea those the heavenly gods had ere while given 
Unto his father ; who, grown old, then gave them 
Unto his child ; yet in the father's harness 



book P. 477 

Not did the son grow old. Now when meanwhile 
Cloud-gatherer Zeus beheld him thus aloof 
Arming himself in prince Peleides* harness, 

200 He shook his head thereat and thus communed 

With his own heart : " Poor wretch ! sure in thy thoughts 

' Not is the death, which is already near thee : 

* And putting on the ambrosial arms art thou 

1 Yea of a warrior prince, at whom all tremble : 

1 Slain hast thou too His friend both brave and toward, 

1 And unbecomingly hast plucked the harness 

205 i From off his head and shoulders. In thy hands 
4 I'll nathless put great mast'ry now at least, — 
1 A compensation ; for that sure shall never 
1 Andromache receive the famous harness 
' Of Peleus' son from thee at thy return 
1 From out the fight." He said ; and with dark brows 
Chronion gave thereat assenting nod. 

210 Now Hector's limbs the harness well did fit ; 
For Ares the dread War-god put them on him : 
Whereat within him filled were all his limbs 
With might and strength : then straightway to the allies, 
Far-summoned, went he shouting loud the warcry ; 
And like Peleides to them all he seemed, 
Bright in the harness of high-souled Achilles. 

215 Then went he round and cheered each man with words, 
Mesthles, and Glaucos, and Thersilochus ; 
Asteropaios, Medon too, and Phorcys ; 
Also Deisenor, and Hippothoos; 
And Chromius, and the augur Ennomos : 
All these he cheered and spake these winged words : 

220 " Give ear, ye countless tribes of helpful neighbours ! 
1 'T was not through seeking for a multitude, 



478 THE* ILIAD. XVII. 

' Not through vain craving, that I gathered you 
4 Together here, each from your several Towns ; 
' But that my Trojans' tender babes and wives 
4 From Argive warriors ye should gladly rescue : 

225 ' 'T is with such thought, I 'm wearing out my people 
i By meat and gifts, and heighten thus the courage 
4 Of you, each one and all. Face then about, 
4 And forward now let each ; whether to perish, 
1 Or to return in safety ; for of War 
' Such is the intercourse. And whosoe'er 
1 Shall hither drag to us horse-taming Trojans 

230 ' Patroclus, dead although, through all the throng 
* In spite of Ajax, — half of all his trappings 
4 I'll portion him, and half I'll keep myself; 
1 And as much glory shall be his herein, 
4 As ever mine." He spake : whereat went they, 
With their whole weight, holding their spears aloft, 
Straight forward at the Danaans ; and their heart 

235 Was full of hope to drag away the corse 
From Telamonian Ajax! — simpletons ! — 
O'er it robbed he yea many a one of life. 
Meanwhile to Menelaus doughty in battle 
Spake Ajax : " Now no longer have I hope, 
4 Zeus-loved Menelaus, my darling, 
4 That safe from out this fight shall we return 

240 4 Being only twain. No whit so anxious am I 
4 About Patroclus' corse, who soon mayhap 
' Will fatten Trojan dogs and birds, — as now 
4 I'm anxious for mine own head and for thine, 
4 Lest aught befal us ; for on every side 
4 Is Hector throwing a cloud of battle round : 
4 And utter ruin plain appears for us. 






book P. 479 



245 ' Yet come, call quick the Danaans' warrior princes, 
1 If haply some shall hear." He spake : whereat 
Lord Menelaus, good at battle-shout, 
Was nothing- slack to heed ; but thrillingly 
Aloud he cried and shouted to the Danaans : 
" friends, Achaian guardians and commanders ! 
1 And whoso, with Atreides Agamemnon 

250 ' And Menelaus, drink at public cost, 

' And give their signals, each one to his troops : 

1 Yet forth from Zeus alone come glory and honour : 

1 For me now to distinguish every leader 

' Is a hard task, so great a battle-strife 

' Blazes abroad. But Let one of himself 

1 Come forward, and to himself take shame at heart 

255 ' That here Patroclus should become the sport 

i Of Trojan bitches/' Spake he thus ; and quick 
Oileus' son, the nimble Ajax, heard him : 
And running through the battle, up he came 
Foremost ; and after him Idomeneus ; 
Also Idomeneus' attendant squire, 
Meriones, a match for slaughterous Ares. 

260 But Who could tell, of his own wits, the names 
Of all those many after them, who stirred 
The Achaians' battle ? Forwards pressed meanwhile 
The Trojans all together ; Hector leading. 
And as, when at a rain-fed river's mouths 
Roars a vast swell against the stream thereof, 

265 As the sea belches forth, and the outmost shores 
Rebellow on both sides ; so loud now rose 
The battle-shout of Trojans : and the Achaians, 
All of one mind, and fenced with brass-bound shields, 
Now took their stand round Menoitiades : 



480 THE ILIAD. XVII. 

And a thick mist Chronion shed about them, 
Bound their bright helmets : for aforetime sure 

270 He never hated Menoitiades, 

Whilst living was he, squire to lord Achilles ; 

Nor would he brook that he should now become 

The prey of Trojan bitches ; wherefore also 

He stirred up comrades to defend his corse. 

Now first the Trojans pushed the quick-eyed Argives ; 

275 Whereat they somewhat budged, quitting the corse ; 
Yet did the high-souled Trojans with their spears, 
Though fain, slay none of them ; but were for dragging 
The corse away : yet also thought the Achaians 
To be aloof but little while therefrom. 
For rally them right swiftly now did Ajax, 
Who both for comeliness and doughty deeds 

280 Surpassed, next after blemishless Peleides, 

All other Danaans. Through the foremost fighters 
Straight on he rushed ; like a wild boar for strength, 
When through the mountain-glens he turns to bay, 
And eas'ly scatters dogs and lusty hunters ; 
So did the son of glorious Telamon, 
Bright Ajax, now attack and eas'ly scatter 

285 The Trojans' lines, that compassed round Patroclus, 
And who were thinking sure to drag him off 
Unto their City, and to win renown. 
With strap already had Hippothoos, 
The gallant son of Lethos the Pelasgian, 
Bound him about the sinews at the ankle, 
And by the foot was hauling him away, 

290 Hoping to please lord Hector and the Trojans : 
But soon on him came mischief, which not one 
Of all his mates, though eager, warded from him ; 



BOOK P. 



481 



For smitten was he through his brass-cheeked helmet, 

In close fight, by the son of Telamon, 

Who rushed upon him through the throng; and rent 

295 About the lance-point was the horse-haired helm, 
Struck both by mighty spear and sturdy hand : 
And through the eyelet spurted up his brains, 
Bloody, from out the wound ; and on the spot 
His might was brought to naught : and from his hands 
He dropped high-souled Patroclus' foot to the earth, 
And by it headlong on the corse pitched He, 
Afar from fair Larisse's loamy soil ; 
And for his rearing made he no return 
To his dear parents ; for a short-lifed age 
Had he, bowed down by high-souled Ajax' lance. 
Anon lord Hector, with his glittering spear, 
Darted at Ajax : but an eye had He 
Forward, and shunned the brazen spear, though hardly 
Yet shot he Iphitus' high-hearted son, 
Schedius, the Phocians' choicest, who bore sway 
O'er many men, and had his dwelling-place 
In far-famed Panopeus : him now he hit 
Under the mid of collar-bone ; and out 
Forth came therethrough beside the shoulder-top 

HO The brazen spear-tip : down then heavily 
He fell, and on him rang again his harness. 
Anon then Ajax smote the son of Phainops, 
The warrior-hearted Phorcys, in mid-belly, 
Bestriding as he was Hippothoos ; 
And rent his corslet's hollow, and therethrough 
The brass tare out his inwards : — so fell he 

515 Down in the dust, and scrabbling clutched the ground. 
And now bright Hector and his foremost fighters 

31 



482. THE ILIAD. XVII. 

Gave way ; then loud yelled the Argives and dragged off 
The dead, both Phorcys and Hippothoos ; 
And undid all the harness from their shoulders. 
Then had the Trojans, forced by Aehaian warriors, 

320 Been sure defeated through their want of prowess, 
And had withdrawn to Ilion ; and the Argives 
Had by their might and prowess won the glory , 
Yea beyond Jove's decree, but that Apollo, 
In guise of herald Periphas, the son 
Of Epytos, upstirred the prince JEneas ; 
With whose old sire had Periphas grown old 

325 As herald, skilled at heart in kindly counsels. 
In guise of whom now spake to him Apollo 
The son of Zeus : " iEneas, oh somehow 
' In safety might ye hold the lofty Ilion, 
1 E'en in the gods' despite ! as other chiefs 
' I've seen already, trusting in their might, 
i And strength, as well as prowess and great number, 

830 - And with a host above all fear : but Zeus 
i Does far more will the mast'ry unto us, 
'Than to the Danaans; nathless, here ye're trembling 
c Unspeakably, and fight not !" Spake he thus : 
Then, looking into his face, iEneas knew 
Apollo, the far-shooter : so aloud 
He shouted thus to Hector : " Shame indeed, 

335 ' Hector, and ye leaders all of Trojans, 
1 And of allies, now shame is this for us, 
c By our own want of prowess to be worsted, 
' And forced by Aehaian warriors to withdraw 
i Back into Ilion : but, — for here by me 
1 One of the gods now says, how in the battle 
1 Zeus, highest lord of counsel, is our Helper ; 



book P. 483 

340 ' Wherefore, straight forward go we 'gainst the Danaans ; 
s And never let them, at their ease at least, 
' Carry Patroclus' carcase to their ships." 
He spake ; and far before the foremost fighters 
He bounded forth and stood. So they were rallied, 
And stood before the Achaians. Now with spear 
iEneas hurled and hit Arisbas' son, 

345 Leiocritus, lord Lycomed's brave comrade. 
And at his fall the doughty Lyeomed 
Felt pity ; so he went right close and stood 
And hurled with glittering lance, and in the liver 
Beneath the midriff shot lord Apisaon, 
Hippasides, the pastor of his people, 
And under him loosed instantly his limbs : 

850 He from Paionia's fertile soil had come, 
And was the best, after Asteropaios, 
In doughty deeds of battle. At his fall, 
Pity for him felt bold Asteropaios ; 
Whereat he too with ready heart rushed straight 
To fight the Danaans : not howe'er yet could he : 
For with their shields they hedged themselves all round, 

355 Standing about Patroclus, and were holding 

Their spears before them : for with many a 'hest 
Went Ajax round to every one, and bade, 
That from the corse should never a one draw back, 
Nor yet should one before the other Argives 
Step forth to fight, but that about the body 
Should all step close, and battle hand to hand. 

360 So charged huge Ajax : then w 7 ith purple blood 

Drenched was the earth ; and dead fell they in heaps 
At once of Trojans and high-souled allies; 
And of the Danaans ; for without blood-shed 



484 THE ILIAD. XVII. 

Neither indeed fought they ; yet fewer far 
Of these did perish : for they bare in mind, 
Throughout their company, each one from other 

365 Ever to ward off imminent distress. 

Thus like a blazing fire fought they : and sure 
Thou never mightst have thought how either 3un 
Or moon were safe ; for by a gloomy mist # 
Quite covered were they, o'er the fight; as far, 
As round the corse of Menoitiades 
Now standing were the choicest. But elsewhere, 

370 The Trojans all, as well as fair-greaved Argives, 
'Neath a clear sky were fighting at their ease : 
And the sun's brilliant light was spread abroad, 
Nor seen was any cloud o'er all the plain, 
Nor on the hills : and between-whiles they ceased 
Their fighting, and asunder stood aloof 
Shunning each others' groan-begetting bolts. 

375 Hardship howe'er from darkness and from battle 
They in mid-field were suffering ; and distressed 
By ruthless brass they were, yea all the choicest : 
Two men howe'er there were, Antilochus 
And Thrasymed, renowned warriors both, 
Had not yet heard of blemishless Patroclus 
Being dead, but thought him yet alive and fighting 

380 Against the Trojans in the foremost battle. 

For having 'fore their eyes their comrades' rout 
And slaughterous death, aloof did they both fight ; 
Since charged them so had Nestor, bidding them, 
From the dark ships away, into the battle.— 
But upstirred here by these was a great strife 

385 Of painsome fight all day ; and as they fought 

* See line 268 ; also at 644, etc., of this book. 



BOOK P. 



485 



Around foot-swift ^Eacides' good squire, 
On without ceasing, evermore, — with sweat 
And weary toil were each man's knees, and legs, 
And feet below, defiled ; hands too and eyes. 
As when a currier gives a great bull's hide, 

390 Besoaked in grease, unto his folk for stretching ; 
And taking it they stand apart in ring 
And stretch, whereat the moisture straightway goes, 
And the grease enters in, so many tugging ; 
And the whole hide becomes all stretched throughout ; 
So on both sides did these in little room 
Pull to and fro the corse ; for mightily 

595 (The Trojans unto Ilion, and the Achaians 

Unto their hollow ships), their hearts did hope 
To draw away the body : and a moil, 
Savage, was raised about him : sure not Ares, 
Rouser of hosts, and sure too not Athene 
Could have found fault at sight of this forsooth, 
Howe'er great wrath were on her : such sore toil 

tOO Of warriors and of horses round Patroclus 

This day did Zeus prolong : meanwhile, no knowledge 
As yet had prince Achilles of Patroclus 
Being dead ; for fighting were they far away 
From the swift ships, under the Trojans' wall. 
Wherefore that he was dead he had ne'er a thought ; 
But that how, after driving to the gates, 

105 Back would he come alive : for that Patroclus 

Should sack the Town without himself, or with him, 
He 'd not the slightest hope. For from his mother 
This had he often heard and learnt in secret ; 
For 'twas her wont to tell him great Jove's purpose. 
Not indeed did his mother tell him then 



486 THE ILIAD. XVII. 

410 Of this distress, that now had come to pass, 
The loss of his most dear beloved friend. 
Thus round the corse were they with their sharp spears 
Evermore pressing on and on unceasing, 
Slaying each other : now in this wise spake 
Some one amongst the brazen-harnessed Argives : 

415 " friends, 'twere not to our good name forsooth 
' Now to withdraw us to the hollow ships ; 
1 But rather for us all may the black earth 
' E'en here yawn wide : sure far more gain were this, 
* For us at once, than to give up this body, 
' For filly-taming Trojans to drag off 
' Unto their Town, and so to win the glory." 

420 Spake also some among the high-souled Trojans 

On this wise : " my friends, e'en though 'twere fated 

' Here for us all to perish round this man, — 

1 Back from the fight let no one start nathless." 

'T was thus they spake, and roused their comrades' courage. 

So they did fight : and the iron din did reach 

425 The brazen heaven, through the clear fruitless ether. 
Meanwhile, the horses of ^Eacides 
Aloof from battle stood, and wailed for grief, 
As soon as e'er they learnt that in the dust 
Fall'n was their charioteer 'neath slaughterous Hector. 
Yea, oft with hasty whip Automedon, 

430 Dioreus' doughty son, did lash and touch them ; 
And oft with soothing words he spake to them, 
And oft with threats; but neither to the ships 
By the broad Hellespont would they go back, 
Nor yet among the Achaians in the battle : 
But fast as in its place a tombstone stands, 

435 On burial-mound of man deceased, or woman, 



BOOK P. 



487 



So with the beauteous chariot fast stood they, 
Hanging their heads down lowly to the ground : 
And from their eyelids, as they wept, warm tears 
Down to the earth did stream, through fond regret 
Of charioteer : and the thick flowing mane, 
Shaken beside the yoke from out the collar, 

140 Of both w T as all defiled. Anon Chronion, 
Seeing the pair thus wailing, pitied them ; 
Whereat he moved his deathless head, and spake 
To his own heart on this wise : "Ah, poor wretches, 
1 wherefore gave we you unto lord Peleus 
1 A death-doomed mortal ? for both free from death 
' And from old age are you : w T as it forsooth 

445 * That among luckless men ye might have sorrow? 
' For of all things that breathe and creep on earth, 
'Than man I ween sure nothing is more wretched. 
1 But not by you, and on your fair-wrought chariot, 
' Shall Hector, lord Priamides, be carried : 
1 For this 1 11 suffer not. Is \ not enough, 

450 ' Though but the arms he has, and boasts the same ? 
' But strength I '11 give you in your knees and heart, 
' So to the hollow ships from out the fight 
1 Safe shall ye bear Automedon : for glory 
1 Unto the Trojans will I yet vouchsafe, 
1 To slay, until they reach the trim-benched galleys, 

455 ' And sun be set, and sacred night come on." 

So saying, he breathed brave strength into the horses. 
Then from their manes the dust shook they to earth, 
And soon with tearing speed they bare along 
The nimble car 'mongst Trojans and Achaians. 
Thus mounted, fought Automedon, though grieving 
For loss of comrade ; and on chariot swift 



488 THE ILIAD. XVII. 

460 He darted,— like a vulture after geese. 

For oft from out the battle-roar of Trojans 
With ease he made escape, and oft with ease 
Pursued and made a dash through many a throng. 
But men he slew not, fain howe'er he rushed 
In hot pursuit : for no-wise might it be 
For him alone on splendid chariot-board 

465 To attack with spear, and to hold in swift horses. 
At length howe'er a comrade warrior spied him 
Before his eyes, Alcimedon, the son 
Of Haimon's son Laerces ; who soon stood 
Behind the car, and to Automedon 
He spake : " Automedon ! now who of the gods 
1 Has put this gainless counsel in thy heart, 

470 ' And of sound wits has reft thee ? that alone, 

6 In foremost throng, thou fight'st against the Trojans : 
' For slaughtered is thy comrade : and rejoicing 
1 Yonder is Hector, with his shoulders clad 
1 In harness of iEacides." Hereat 
Automedon, Dioreus' son, replied : 

475 " Alcimedon ! who else of the Achaians 
1 Could equal thee for holding well in hand 
4 The guidance and the spirit of deathless horses ? 
' Save 'tw r ere Patroclus, he who matched the gods 
i In w r eight of counsel, when alive : but now 
' O'ertaken him has Death and Destiny. 
i But come, take thou the whip and glossy reins 

480 ' And I '11 from car dismount and fight/' He spake : 
Into the chariot hasting to the battle 
Now sprang Alcimedon, and hurriedly 
Took in his hands the whip and reins ; and down 
Automedon sprang forth : meanwhile, bright Hector 



book P. 489 

Took note thereof; and straightway thus addressed 
iEneas, who was near at hand : " iEneas, 
185 ' counsellor of brazen-harnessed Trojans, 
1 Into the fight, I note, have now come forth 

I Foot-swift iEacides' famed pair of horses 
' With sorry # charioteers : wherefore a hope 

I I sure might have to win them, if but thou 
1 So wishest in thy heart : for sure methinks 
'They'll never dare to stand before us twain, 

190 ' And bide the brunt of our attack in battle." 
He spake : whereat Anchises' gallant son 
Did not refuse compliance. So away 
Straight forward went the twain, covering their shoulders 
With oxhide shields both stiff and stark, whereon 
Was ample brass inlaid. Along with them 
Aretos too, of godlike form, and Chromius, 
Both went ; for mightily did their heart hope 
Themselves to slay the foe, and to drive off 
The lofty-crested horses :— simpletons ! 
For sure not bloodless were they to return 
Back again from Automedon. He now, 
On having prayed to father Zeus, was filled 
With strength and might in all his dark-set soul ; 

500 And straight he thus addressed Alcimedon, 

His trusty comrade : " Keep me now the horses 

1 Not far away, Alcimedon, but breathing 

1 Close on my back ; for 1 forsooth think not 

' Hector Priamides will stay himself 

1 From battle-rage, until he has killed us both 

1 And mounted him behind these fine-maned horses 

* As if he had noticed what seemed to be mismanagement of the horses, as at 430, 
etc., and at 482. 



490 THE ILIAD. XVII. 

505 ' Of lord Achilles, and has put to flight 

1 Our Argive warriors' ranks ; or till himself 

1 Be caught amid the foremost." Saying thus, 

Unto his aid he summoned either Ajax, 

And Menelaus : " Ajax ! one and other, 

* Leaders of Argives both ! and Menelaus ! 

i Leave now yon corse in charge of all your best, 

510 ' For guard and keeping off the foemen's ranks: 
' And ward off here the ruthless day from us 
' Two living ones. For through the mournful fight 
' Hither are bearing Hector and iEneas, 
' The Trojans' choicest warriors. Yet indeed 
' On the gods' powerful knees lie all these matters : 
' So e'en will I let fly ; and to the care 

515 ' Of Jove shall sure be left whate'er betide." 

He spake ; then poised and launched his long-helved spear, 

And hit the good round buckler of Aretos : 

Whereat it parried not the spear ; but forth 

The brass went on right through ; and through his belt 

Into the belly's lower part it drave. 

520 And as when some strong man with sharp-edged axe 
Shall smite a field-fed ox behind his horns, 
And cut the sinew all in twain, whereat 
With forward spring drops he ; so sprang this man 
Forward and fell, face upward, on his back ; 
And in his entrails deep the sharp spear quivering 
Soon loosed his limbs. Anon with glittering lance 
' 525 Lord Hector darted at Automedon, 

Who saw howe'er before him, and so shunned 
The brazen spear, for forward stooped he down ; 
Whereat away behind, him the long shaft 
Stuck in the ground, where yet the spear's butt-end 



BOOK P. 491 

Quivered awhile, till spent was all its force 
530 By sturdy Ares. Hand to hand with swords 

Encountered had they now yea furiously, 

But that each Ajax, fain at comrade's call, 

Came through the throng and parted them asunder. 

And Hector, godlike Chromius, and iEneas, 

All shrank away before them and retired : 
535 But there behind they left Aretos fallen, 

Pierced through the heart : whereat Automedon, 

Match unto hasty Ares, stripped his armour ; 

And glorying spake this word : " Now indeed from grief 

I For Menoitiades' death, some little at least, 

I I Ve eased my heart, by slaughtering one though worser." 
540 So saying, he took the gory spoils and laid them 

On chariot-board, then up stepped he, blood-stained 
In legs and arms above, like any lion 
From feasting on a bull. Meanwhile, again 
Strained to the utmost was the stern fight, painsome, 
Mournful, about Patroclus : and Athene 

545 Came down from heaven, and urged the battle-strife ; 
For Zeus despatched her forth to cheer the Danaans ; 
As changed was now his mood. And as when Zeus 
Stretches his purple rainbow forth from heaven 
O'er mortals, for a sign, either of war 
Or chilling storm ; which stops the husbandmen 

550 From work in field, and troubles too their flocks ; 
So she with purple cloud close wrapped herself, 
Entered the Achaian host and roused each man. 
Likening herself to Phoenix, both in fashion 
And untired voice, she first urged on Atreides, 
Bold Menelaus, who w r as near at hand, 

555 And thus addressed him : " Sure now shall reproach 



492 THE ILIAD. XVII. 

4 And downcast shame be thine, Menelaus, 

4 If 'neath the Trojans' wall swift hounds shall tear 

4 Gallant Achilles' trusty friend in pieces : 

1 But bear thee stoutly, and cheer on all thy host." 

Straight answered her the doughty Menelaus : 

560 " Ah ! Phoenix, reverend father, full of years, 
4 'Would but Athene give me strength, and keep 
4 The force of weapons off, then sure for my part 
4 Willing were I to stand beside Patroclus 
4 And fight in his defence ; for by his death 
4 Full sore he has touched my heart : but the dread rage 

565 ' Of Fire has Hector in him ; and with weapon 
' He ceases not to slay ; for Zeus vouchsafes 
4 The glory now to him." He spake : whereat 
Glad was the goddess, the Bright-eyed Athene, 
For that he thus had prayed foremost to Her 
Of all the gods : so into his knees and shoulders 
Now put she strength, and in his breast she planted 

570 The boldness of a gnat, which though driven off 
From a man's flesh howe'erso oft, yet still 
Holds in the mood to bite, so dainty-sweet 
Is man's blood to her taste : w T ith suchlike boldness 
She filled his dark-set heart : then to Patroclus 
He hied, and darted with his glittering spear. 

575 Now 'mong the Trojan troops there was one Podes, 
Eetion's son, both rich and bold ; and Hector 
Honoured him passing much among the people, 
For that he was his own dear boon-companion : 
Him now at belt, just as he rushed for flight, 
Yellow-haired Menelaus hit ; and drave 
The brazen point right through ; so down he fell, 

580 Heavily : and Atreides Menelaus 



book P. 493 

'Gan drag the corse from out the Trojans' clutches 
Into his. comrades' troop. Now to urge Hector, 
On sudden close beside him stood Apollo 
In guise of Phainops, Asios' son : most dear 
Of all his foreign guests was he to Hector : 
His home was at Abydos : in his likeness 

\5 Apollo the Far-shooter now addressed him : 
11 Hector! — of all the Achaians how shall any 
1 Henceforth have dread of thee? when thus thou fleest 
4 From Menelaus, who has heretofore 
1 Been but soft warrior ; now howe'er from Trojans 
* Alone he 's quietly bearing off yon corse ; 
1 And Podes has he slain, Eetion's son, 

10 'Thy trusty friend so bold 'mongst foremost fighters. " 
He spake : whereat a gloomy cloud of grief 
O'ercast prince Hector : through the foremost lines 
Then went he, harnessed all in glittering brass. 
Now too the Son of Chronos took in hand 
His gleaming, tasseled iEgis ; and he covered 
Ida with pile of clouds ; anon he lightened, 

)5 And thundered mighty loud, and shook the mountain ; 
And mast'ry to the Trojans here he gave, 
And put the Achaian side in sore dismay. 
In taking flight, Boeotian Peneleus 
Was first to lead the way ; for he was wounded, 
Slightly, on top of shoulder, as he faced 
Unceasingly the foe ; and the spear-point 
800 Of lord Polydamas just grazed his bone ; 

For 'twas e'en he drew nigh at hand and hurled. 
At hand then Hector wounded Leitos, 
High-souled Alectryon's son, his arm at wrist ; 
Whereat he ceased from fight ; and peering round 



494 THE ILIAD. XVII. 

Fled in dismay ; for no more hope at heart 
Had he with spear in hand to fight the Trojans. 

605 While rushing after Leitos was Hector, 
Idomenens let fly and hit his corslet, 
His breast beside the pap ; but in the shaft 
The long spear snapped ; whereat the Trojans shouted ; 
Then Hector launched against Deucalion's son 
Idomeneus, upstanding on his chariot : 
Him indeed narrowly he missed, but hit 

610 Meriones' good squire and charioteer, 

Coiranos, who from fair-built Lyctos came 
Together with his chieftain : he, at quitting 
His rolling ships, had come at first on foot ; 
And sure within the Trojans' hands he had put 
Great rnast'ry, had not Coiranos driv'n swiftly 
His nimble-footed horses : thus he came 

615 A light unto his lord, and warded off 

From him the ruthless day : but his own life 
He lost 'neath slaughterous Hector; who now hit him 
Beneath his jaw and ear, and the spear's end 
Knocked out his teeth, and cut his tongue asunder : 
Forth from the car he tumbled, and the reins 
Down to the ground let slip ; whereat down stooped 

620 Meriones and caught these off the ground 
In his own hands ; then to Idomeneus 
He spake : " Now whip ! till haply mayst thou reach 
' The nimble ships ; for yea thyself dost know 
i How there's no longer mast'ry for the Achaians." 
He said : whereat Idomeneus lashed on 
The fine-maned horses towards the hollow ships ; 

625 For come had fear already on his heart. 
Meanwhile, 'twas not unseen by Menelaus 



BOOK P. 



495 



640 



And mighty-hearted Ajax, how that Zeus 

Gave now the shifting mast'ry to the Trojans : 

And thus with foremost word outspake great Ajax, 

The son of Telamon : " Strange ! sure now 

1 E'en one that were a very child must know, 

'That father Zeus grants glory to the Trojans : 

i For all their bolts, whoever launches them, 

1 Whether he's bold or craven, reach their mark : 

1 And straight at any rate Zeus guides them all : 

1 But all of ours drop idle to the ground. 

'Yet come; e'en of ourselves consider we 

'The choicest plan, how may we draw away 

'This corse, and also how return ourselves, 

' And so become a joy to our dear comrades ; 

' Who looking hitherwards, methinks, are grieved, 

'And think that slaughterous Hector's unmatched hands 

' And furious might shall now be checked no longer, 

' But that he'll fall upon our dusky ships. 

' that there were some comrade who might carry 

'Tidings with utmost swiftness to Peleides : 

' For no, not heard indeed has he, methinks, 

' The mournful news, that his dear friend has perished, 

' Yet such a one I no-where now can spy 

' Of all the Achaians, for they're hidden quite 

' Both man and horse alike in misty darkness. # 

' Zeus father ! but from out this gloomy mist 

' Do Thou set free the Achaians' sons, and Make 

' A clear bright sky, and grant our eyes to see it ; 

' And Oh. in daylight make an end of us, 

' Since therefore thus it pleases thee." He spake : 

And at his tears the father pitied him : 

* See line 268 ; also at lines 368, etc., of this book, 



496 THE ILIAD. XVII, 

And straight he scattered all the mist, and drave 

650 The fog away ; whereat the Sun shone forth, 
And seen was all the battle : whereupon 
Spake Ajax thus to doughty Menelaus : 
"Now look about, Jove-loved Menelaus, 
1 If haply mayst thou see Antilochus, 
' The high-souled son of Nestor, yet alive ; 
' And bid him go all haste to bold Achilles 

655 ' And tell him, how his best, his dearest friend 
' Is indeed now no more." lie spake : whereat 
Not slow to obey was doughty Menelaus 
(Howe'er unwilling) ; and he went his way, 
As might some lion from cattle-yard, when weary 
Of rousing up both dogs and men who watch 
All night, and suffer not his carrying off 

660 The choice of all their beeves : yet straight he attacks, 
From love of fleshmeat; but avails he nought; 
For thick against him fly from sturdy hands 
Javelins and burning faggots, which indeed 
He dreads, howe'erso vehement he be ; 
And off he goes at morn with sorrowing spirit ; 
E'en so now all unwillingly away 

665 Went doughty Menelaus from Patroclus : 

For much he dreaded, lest through sore dismay 
The Achaians there should leave him for a booty 
Unto the foemen : so with much entreaty 
He charged each Ajax and Meriones : 
" either Ajax, leaders of Achaians, 
4 And thou, Meriones, — Let every man 

670 ' Call now to mind the kindness of Patroclus, 
' Our luckless comrade ; courteous unto all 
4 well he knew to be, the while he lived ; 



book P. 497 

1 But now have Death and Doom o'ertaken him." 
So saying, away went yellow-haired Menelaus, 
Wistfully peering round on every side, 
Like as an eagle, which for sight, they say, 
Is the most keen of winged fowls 'neath heaven ; 
Whose notice, though on high, the foot-swift hare 
Escapes not in his form 'neath close-leafed shrub ; 
But on him down he swoops, and swiftly catches 
And takes his life away ; so now rolled round, 

Jove-loved Menelaus, thy bright eyes 
On every side through many a comrades' troop, 
If haply mightst thou see the son of Nestor 
Anywhere yet alive. Right soon indeed, 
Quite at the battle's left, him did he note, 
Cheering his friends and urging on to fight. 
Yellow-haired Menelaus now drew near, 
And thus accosted him : " Antilochus ! 

685 ' Hither, prince, I pray thee, come and hear 

1 Sorrowful tidings : 'would they were not true ! 
1 Already thou thyself, methinks, beholdest 

' And dost perceive, how that the god is rolling 

1 Woe on the Danaans :— mastery is the Trojans' ; 

4 For slain is now the choicest of the Achaians, 

' Even Patroclus, and a sore regret 
690 ' Is risen anions; the Danaans. But run Thou 

' Quick to the Achaian ships, and tell Achilles, 

' If haply with all speed he yet may fetch 

' In safety, to his galley, the bare corse ; 

1 For Hector of the glancing helm forsooth 

' Is wearing now those arms." He spake : whereat 

Stricken with horror was Antilochus, 
695 Hearing such tale ; and speechlessness of words 

32 



498 THE ILIAD. XVII. 

Long time gat hold upon him ; and with tears 
Filled were his eyes ; and all his manly voice 
Was choked within him : nathless, not neglectful 
Was he of Menelaus' 'hest, but started 
Kunning, and gave his armour to his comrade 
The blemishless Laodocus, who near him 

700 Guided his firm-hoofed horses. Him in tears 
His feet did bear from forth the fight, to carry 
The sorry news to Peleus' son Achilles. 
Meanwhile thy heart, Jove-loved Menelaus, 
Thought not indeed to aid the hard-pressed comrades. 
From whom Antilochus had now departed, 
Whereby was great regret among his Pylians : 

705 But to their aid urged he prince Thrasymed ; 
And went again himself to lord Patroclus : 
There to each Ajax drew he near and said : 
" Forth to the nimble ships him now I Ve sent, 
1 Swift-footed, unto Achilles ; yet not now 
1 Will he, methinks, come hither, wroth although 

710 ' Against prince Hector ; for without his armour 
' No-wise against the Trojans can he fight : 
1 But of ourselves alone consider we 
1 The choicest plan, how may we draw at once 
1 This corse away, and also come ourselves 
' From out the Trojans' war-cry, and escape 
' Death and a slaughterous doom." Then answered him 

715 Huge Ajax, son of Telamon : " All fitly, 
' glorious Menelaus, hast thou said : 
1 Plunge ye then in ; thou and Meriones, 
i Eight swiftly both, and lift and bring the corse 
1 From out the scuffle : backing you meanwhile 
' We twain will fight prince Hector and his Trojans, 



book P. 499 

720 ' We of one mind and name ; e'en as afore 
1 Fast side by side together do we stand, 
1 Biding sharp Ares' onslaught. " Spake he thus. 
Anon right mightily from off the ground 
Up lifted they the body in their arms : 
Whereat the Trojan folk behind did yell, 
Soon as they saw the Achaians lift the corse ; 
And forwards dashed they straight, like hounds, that rush 
Before young huntsmen at a wounded boar : 
For eager to destroy him, sure they run 
A while, but when on them he turns him round, 
Relying on his strength, soon back they hie, 
And flee all ways, one hither, and one thither. 

730 So did the Trojans for a while indeed 

Follow in throngs unceasingly, and thrust 
With sword and double-fitted spears ; but when 
Each Ajax turned about and stood against them, 
Then did their colour change, nor did one dare 
To rush on further and battle for the corse. 

735 Thus from the fight they twain in eager haste 
Towards the hollow ships did bear the body : 
Yet was the fight to the utmost strained about them, 
Fierce, as a raging fire, that rushes on 
And sudden sets a peopled city ablaze, 
And in the mighty flame the houses perish ; 
And the wind's force does make it roar again ; 

740 So now did ceaseless uproar both of chariots 

And of stout spearmen come about these bearers 
As on they went. Yet they, yea like as mules 
That put on all their mighty strength and drag, 
Along some rugged way from out the mountain, 
Either a great ship-timber, or a beam ; 



500 THE ILIAD. XVII. 

And through both weariness at once and sweat, 

745 As on they press, the heart is worn within them ; 
So now in eager haste bare they the corse ; 
While at their backs each Ajax checked the foe ; 
E'en as a wooded hill, that stretches far 
Athwart a plain, checks water ; and keeps back 
The vehement floods of even mighty rivers, 
And straightway sends the stream of one and all 

750 A-wandering o'er the plain ; nor ever a whit 

By strength of stream can they burst through that barrier ; 

So back in check did either Ajax hold 

Unceasingly the battle of the Trojans : 

But they close followed, and amongst them, — Twain 

Most chiefly, — Anchisiades iEneas, 

And glorious Hector. And the Danaans went, 

755 As goes a flock of starlings or of daws, 
Screaming incessantly, when from afar 
They see a coming hawk, that sure brings slaughter 
Upon small birds ; e'en so with yell unceasing 
The Achaians' sons withdrew before iEneas, 
And before Hector, and had no mind for battle. 

760 And goodly harness of the Danaans fell 
About the trench and in it in their flight, 
Full many a heap :— -but no rest yet from fight. 



BOOK 2. 501 



ARGUMENT OF THE EIGHTEENTH BOOK. X 

The lamentation of Achilles for the death of Patroclus : his mother Thetis 
rises from the sea and consoles him, and advises him to abstain from 
battle, until she procures new armour from Hephaistos : at Here's 
bidding however he goes unarmed as far as the trench ; where he is seen 
by the enemy, who are terror-stricken at once and flee at the mere sight 
of him ; and many of them perish in their flight. The Myrmidons wash 
the body of Patroclus. Hephaistos, at Thetis' entreaty, forges an entire 
set of new armour for Achilles. 

SIGMA : the fashion of Achilles' armour 
Forged by Hephaistos at the prayer of Thetis. 



Thus did they fight like unto blazing fire : 
Meanwhile, to Achilles went Antilochus 
A speedy-footed messenger. And him 
He found before his upright-crested ships 
Pondering in mind what now had come to pass : 
5 And to his own great-hearted soul he spake, 
Heavy in spirit : " Ah Me ! alas, what now 
' Means this ? that fleeing bewildered o'er the plain 
' Again towards the ships the long-haired Argives 
1 Are driven in such confusion ? Oh, I fear 
' Lest now the gods already bring to pass 
1 Sad sorrow for my heart ; e'en as my mother 
10 ' Erst plainly made me understand, and told me, 
( How that of Myrmidons the choicest one, 



502 THE ILIAD, XVIII. 

1 Bowed under Trojans' hands (I yet alive), — 

' Should quit the sunlight. Ah ! now sure is dead 

' Menoitius' doughty son, luckless ! and sure 

' I bade him but drive off the foemen's fire, 

* And come back to the ships, but not with Hector 

15 ' To cope in mighty battle." While thus pond'ring 
Was he within his heart and very soul, 
. To him illustrious Nestor's son drew nigh, 
Shedding hot tears, and told his mournful tidings : 
i( Ah Me ! son of warrior-hearted Peleus, 
' Yea indeed mournful tidings must thou learn, 
1 'would they were not true : — Fall'n is Patroclus ! 

20 ' And fighting are they already for his corse, 

' Stripped bare : for Hector of the glancing helm 
' Is wearing now those arms." He spake : whereat 
A gloomy cloud of grief o'ercast Achilles : 
And with both hands up-catching dusty ashes 
He scattered them a-down his head, and marred 
His comely face ; and the black ashes settled 

25 Upon his nectarous raiment. And i' th' dust 
Outstretched he laid him, he the mighty one, 
Sprawling at large, and rent and marred his hair 
With his own hands. Anon distressed in spirit, 
The damsels, — captives taken by Achilles 
And by Patroclus, — wailed aloud, and forth 
Came running round the warrior-soul ed Achilles ; 

30 And with their hands they all did beat their breasts ; 
And under her were each one's limbs unstrung. 
On the other side Antilochus mourned also, 
Dropping sad tears, — holding Achilles' hands : 
And at his noble heart groaned he ; for fear 
Lest haply might he think with edge of sword 



book 2. 503 

To sever his throat. Oh ! terrible to hear 

He wailed aloud. Anon, his lady mother 

Heard, as she sat within the depths of sea 

Beside her ancient sire, whereat she too 

Shrieked out for grief: and gathering round her came 

Her sea-nymphs all, the Nereid goddesses, 

As many as were about the depths of sea. 

And there indeed was Glauce, and Thaleia ; 

Also Cymodoce ; Nesaia ; Speio ; 

And Thoe, and the large-eyed Halie ; 

And Limnoreia, and Cymothoe ; 

And M elite ; Actaia, and Iaira ; 

Amphithoe, Agaue, and Pherousa ; 

Doto, and Proto, and Dynamene ; 

Dexamene, Amphinome, and Doris ; 
45 Callianeira too, and Panope, 

And far-famed Galateia ; and Nemertes, 

Also Callianassa, and Apseudes : 

And Clymene was there, and Ianeira, 

And Ianassa too, and Oreithyia, 

And Maira, and the fair-tressed Amatheia : 

And other Nereids yet, e'en all that were 
50 Throughout the depths of sea. And filled with them 

Was all the silver-shining grot : and they 

At once all smote their breasts for grief ; and Thetis 

Was foremost in her wailing : " Sister Nereids ! 

' List ! that ye all may hear and know full well 

4 What heavy troubles are within my heart. 

* Alas, Oh wretched Me ! unhappy mother 
55 ' Of the most noble son ! Ah luckless Me, 

' For when I had borne a son, both-blemishless 

' And brave, distinguished above warrior-chiefs, 



504 THE ILIAD. XVIII. 

' And shot up had he like young plant, yea I 
i Did rear him like a plant in fruitful vineyard, 
1 And sent him forth in crook-beaked ships to Ilion, 
1 To fight 'gainst Trojans : — but at Peleus' house 

60 ' Him back again I nevermore shall welcome ! 
i And what short while I have him living yet, 
' And he yet sees the sunlight, he 's in sorrow ; 
' Nor can I aught avail him should I go ; 
1 Yet go I will, and see my child, and hear, 
1 What is the grief has come upon him now, 
i While yet he stays from battle." Saying thus, 

65 She left the cavern : and along with her 

Went they, all tearful ; and the sea's big wave 
Eound them did break : and when at length they reached 
Troy's cloddy land, in line they stepped on shore, 
Where lay the galleys of the Myrmidons, 
Drawn up in order close round swift Achilles. 

70 Anon before him, sobbing heavily, 

His lady mother stood ; and wailing shrill 

She clasped her own child's head, and all in tears 

Outspake these winged words : " My child ! why weepest ? 

' What grief is this has come upon thy soul ? 

' Speak out, conceal it not : accomplished now 

75 ' To thee from Zeus is all, e'en as indeed 

' Thou erewhile pray'dst for with uplifted hands, 
i That all the Achaians' sons should need thy help, 
1 And to the ship-sterns should be driven, and suffer 
' Unseemly things." Hereat foot-swift Achilles, 
Deep-sobbing, answered her : " Yea, mother mine, 
4 The Olympian has accomplished me all that ; 

80 ' But what delight have I therefrom, since perished 
' Has my dear friend Patroclus ? I did honour 



book X. 505* 

i Him above all friends, even as my head ; 
1 Him have I lost ; and slaughtered him has Hector, 
1 And stripped him of those arm3, wondrous to look at, 
1 Terrible, — goodly ; which indeed the gods 
' Gave unto Peleus (brilliant gifts), that day 
1 When thee they wedded to a mortal husband. 
1 that among thy deathless sea-nymphs yonder 
1 Thou still hadst dwelt, and that my father Peleus 
1 Had taken to himself a death-doomed consort ! 
1 But now 'tis doomed, that grief immeasurable 
1 E'en Thou shouldst have at heart, for loss of child ; 
' Whom home again thou nevermore shalt welcome ; 
1 Seeing that my heart forbids me now to live, 
1 And be amongst mankind, unless first Hector, 
6 Down-smitten by my spear, shall lose* his life, 
6 And pay in full for having made a booty 
' And spoil of Menoitiades Patroclus." 
Thetis hereat, still shedding tears, replied : 
" Now shall I have thee quickly dying, my child, 
1 Since thus thou say'st : for ready then for Thee 
1 Is Destiny forthwith next after Hector." 
Anon, full heavy at heart, foot-swift Achilles 
Thus answered her : " Perish I would forthwith, 
f Seeing I was doomed indeed not to defend 
' My friend when they were slaughtering him : Ah, perished 
1 Far from his fatherland indeed has He ; 
100 ' And lacked My help to turn aside his ruin. 
6 But now, since not shall I return again 
1 To my dear fatherland ; nor ever a ray 
' Of Light unto Patroclus have I been, 
' Nor to those other comrades, who 've been slain 
' Already by prince Hector, many a one ; 



306 



THE ILIAD. XVIII. 



4 But by my galleys idle here I sit 

105 ' A mere dead weight on earth, although I 'm such 
' As none of all the brazen-mailed Achaians 
1 Can match in battle ; albeit in assembly 
4 Yea others are my betters ; — Let Strife 
' Utterly vanish both from gods and men, 
1 And Let Wrath !— which stirs one, shrewd however, 
4 To grow severe : and which though far more sweet 

110 ' Than dropping honey to the heart of man, 
1 Soon therein waxes great, even as a smoke : 
1 So angered here have I been by the Chief 
4 Of chieftains, Agamemnon. But perforce 
4 We'll tame this mood within our breast, and let 
4 Bygones be bygones, grieved howe'er we be. 
4 And now I'll go and find, if haply I may, 

115 ' My Dear Head's murderer, Hector : and then I 
4 My Doom shall welcome, whensoe'er Zeus wills, 
4 And the other deathless gods, to accomplish it. 
4 For no, not e'en the might of Heracles 
' Could 'scape from violent Doom, although to Zeus, 
1 Lord Chronides, he was indeed most dear : 
4 But even Him did Here's bitter wrath 

120 ' And Fate bow down in death. So also I, 
1 If a like Fate is destined me already, 
1 Would lay me down whene'er I die : yet Now 
' Brave glory would I win ; and many a one 
4 'Mongst Trojan women and deep-bosomed Dardans 
4 I'll set a-sobbing loud, and with both hands 
' A-wiping tears from off her tender cheeks : 

125 ' And learn they may, that now long time must / 
' Have rested from the battle. But from fight, 
' How much soe'er thou lov'st me, stay me not; 



BOOK 2. 



507 



1 For persuade me thou shalt not." Straightway Thetis, 

The silver-footed goddess, answered him : 

" Yea now, my child, all this forsooth is true : 

i From comrades in distress 'tis not amiss 

1 To ward off threatening ruin : but 'niongst the Trojans 

1 Held is thy goodly, brazen, glittering harness : 

1 Indeed lord Hector of the glancing helm 

1 Exults in wearing it himself: but not 

1 Long shall he pride himself, methinks, therein ; 

' For unto him is Slaughter near at hand. 

' But not yet enter thou the moil of Ares, 

135 ' Till at least me before thine eyes thou seest 
1 Hither returned. For with the rising sun 
' To-morrow morn 111 hie me back and bring 
1 Fair armour for thee from the king Hephaistos." 
She said ; and from her son she turned away, 
Turned to her sister sea-nymphs and addressed them : 

140 " Now ye, go plunge into the Sea's broad bosom ; 
' Hie to my Sire's abode, and see at once 
1 The Ancient of the Deep and tell him all : 
1 And I '11 up lofty Olympus, to Hephaistos 
' The far-famed artist there, and haply willing 
' He'll be to give my son bright glorious armour." 

145 She spake : and 'neath the sea-wave straight plunged They. 
And she, the silver-footed goddess Thetis, 
Unto Olympus hied away, to fetch 
Fair harness for her son. Thus to Olympus 
Her feet did carry her along : meanwhile, 
Before the slaughterous Hector fled the Achaians 
With awful shouting, till they reached their ships 
And Hellespont. But not beyond bolts' reach 
Had the fair-greaved Achaians e'en then rescued 



508 THE ILIAD. XVIII. 

The body of Achilles' friend Patroclus ; 
For now again both foot and horse, and Hector 
King Priam's son, in strength like flaming fire, 
On him did light. Thrice indeed from behind, 

155 Hold on him by his feet seized glorious Hector, 
Eager to drag him off; and to his Trojans 
Shouted aloud : and thrice from off the corse 
The twain (each Ajax), clad in furious might, 
Thrust him away : but He, relying still 
On might steadfast, sometimes did make a dash 
On through the battle-din ; and other times, 

160 Shouting aloud the war-cry, did he stand, 

And budged back never a step. And like as shepherds 

Biding in field, can no-wise chase away 

A fierce lion, mighty hungry, from a carcase ; 

So could not either Ajax, both helmed warriors, 

Scare away Him forsooth, Priamides 

Lord Hector, from the corse. And sure away 

165 Now had he drawn it, and won countless glory, 
But that with feet of wind a messenger, 
Down from Olympus, came swift Iris running, 
Without the ken of Zeus and the other gods, 
Unto Peleides, — he must arm himself : 
For forth had Here sent her : so at hand 
She stood and spake to him these winged words : 

170 " Peleides, terriblest of all men, Rise ! 

' Go and defend Patroclus, for whose sake 
i Dire battle-din is raised before the ships : 
( And yonder are tKky killing one another ; 
1 These, fighting to defend the dead man's body ; 
6 While striving furiously are they, the Trojans, 
* To seize and drag him off to gusty Ilion : 






BOOK S. 



509 



175 



180 



And, for the hauling him away, most chiefly 

Strives glorious Hector ; and his fierce heart bids him 

To lop the head from off the tender neck, 

And fix it on the palisade. Then Up ! 

And lie no longer idle : and let shame 

Touch thee at heart, that yonder thy Patroclus 

May thus become the sport of Trojan bitches : 

Shame upon thee, if haply shall his corse 

Come to be marred in any sort." Anon, 

The able-footed prince Achilles answered : 
' Iris ! now who of all the gods, goddess, 
Dispatches thee with message thus to me ?" 

Straight answered him swift Iris, airy-footed : 
1 Jove's glorious consort, Here, sent me forth : 
And high-throned Chronides knows nought hereof, 
Neither does any other of the Deathless, 
Who dwell on snowy Olympus." Then replied 

Foot-swift Achilles unto her in answer : 
1 Into the moil, aye, how then should I go ? 
When yonder they' Ye my harness ? and my mother 
F&rbids my donning arms until at least 
Her shall I see before mine eyes returned. 
For noble armour has she promised me 
To fetch from king Hephaistos. Nor forsooth 
Know I of any other's goodly harness 
I could put on, unless mayhap the buckler 
Of Ajax Telamonides. But He 
Himself, I w r een, with spear 'mongst foremost lines 
Is dealing slaughter for Patroclus' corse." 

Straight answered him swift airy-footed Iris : 
1 Eight well wist also We, how that they hold 
Thy noble arms ; yet go thou to the trench, 



510 THE ILIAD. XVIII. 

' Yea all the same, and shew thee to the Trojans, 
1 If haply from the fight, through dread of thee, 
1 The Trojans may withhold ; and so again 

200 ( The Achaians' warrior sons gain breathing-time 
' In their distress : and short is warfare's respite." 
So saying, away went she, the foot-swift Iris. 
Then straightway rose Achilles, dear to Zeus ; 
Whereat Athene flung about his shoulders 
Her tasseled iEgis ; and around his head 

205 This noble one of goddesses did wreathe 

A golden cloud, wherefrom she made blaze forth 
Bright-beaming flame. And as when smoke goes up 
From forth a Town and reaches the clear sky 
From some far isle, which foemen are besieging, 
And, sallying forth, they from their Town bide issue 
With hateful Ares all throughout the day ; 

210 And at sun-down torch upon torch flares forth, 
The shine whereof shoots darting up on high 
For neighbouring friends to see ; if anywise 
With galleys would they come and ward off ruin ; 
So from Achilles' head forth went a brightness 
E'en unto heaven. Then past the wall he went, 
And stood beside the trench ; but 'mongst the Achaians 

215 Mixed not ; for to his mother's shrewd behest 

He ever paid regard. There stood he and shouted : 

And loud far off Athene Pallas also 

Cried out ; and raised unspeakable confusion 

Among the Trojans. And as clear a voice, 

As when a trumpet sounds forth, at the approach 

Of slaughterous foemen circling round a Town, 

220 So now the voice of lord iEacides 

Arose full clear. And they, when thus they heard 



BOOK 2. 



511 



The brazen voice of lord JEacides, 
Moved was the heart of all forthwith : and back 
Their fine-maned horses wheeled about their chariots ; 
For of distress a boding had they at heart. 
Astonied also were the charioteers, 
225 When o'er high-souled Peleides' head they saw 
Unwearied fire, dread, blazing !— for Athene, 
The bright-eyed goddess, made it fiercely blaze. 
Across the trench three times did prince Achillea 
Shout mightily his war-cry, and three times 
Into disorder were the Trojans thrown, 
And their renowned allies. And there, even then, 
By their own spears and chariots perished twelve 
Right noble chieftains : and the Achaians drew, 
Gladly from out the reach of bolts, and laid 
Patroclus on a litter : and his comrades 
Weeping stood round : and unto them soon followed 
Foot-swift Achilles, pouring forth hot tears 
When thus his faithful comrade he beheld 
Laid on a bier, slaughtered with sharp-edged brass ; 
Him whom indeed with horses and with chariots 
To battle sent he forth, but greeted not 
With welcome on returning back again. — 
And now the large-eyed lady Here sent 
The untiring Sun (unwilling to depart) 
Unto the Ocean-streams : down went the Sun ; 
And the high-born Achaians then took rest 
From the stern din and commonable battle. 
On the other side the Trojans too retired 
From sturdy fight, and loosed their nimble horses 
From chariot-yokes. Then, before thought for supper, 
Unto assembly flocked they ; and the assembly 



-512 THE ILIAD. XVIII. 

Was held on foot, upstanding ; nor did any 
245 Venture to sit : for terror was on all, 

Because Achilles was come forth to sight ; 

And long time had he ceased from painsome battle. 

Anon in prudent spirit Poly dam as 

Pantho'ides was first to speak before them ; 

For he alone could see the past and future : 

And he was Hector's friend, and in one night 
'250 Born were they both : but one for skill of words, 

And the other with the spear, was much the master. 

So now with kindly thought and shrewd amongst them 

He thus outspake and said : " Consider well 
On every side, friends : for my part I 
Do urge our now returning to the Town, 
And not to bide abroad upon the plain 
255 i Thus near the ships till sacred Morn ; for here 
Far aloof are we from our City-wall. 
As long indeed as yon dread Man was wroth 
Against prince Agamemnon, sure more easy 
The Achaians were to fight with. Glad was I 
At passing here the night by the swift ships, 
In hope that we might win their rolling galleys : 
260 ' But strangely now I dread foot-swift Peleides : 
Such an outrageous manner of spirit is his, 
He '11 never care to stay upon the plain 
Where Trojans and Achaians, both alike, 
Share hitherto in midst the rage of Ares : 
But for the Town he'll fight, and for our women. 
Then go we to the City; Trust my word, 
2Q5 ' For so 'twill be : just now, the ambrosial Night 
Stops the foot-swift Peleides : if howe'er 
To-morrow shall he rush forth girt in armour 




book 2. 513 

1 And come upon us here, sure many a one 
' Then to his cost shall know him : ah, right gladly 
' Would whosoe'er escapes, reach sacred Ilion ! 
1 For of the Trojans many a one shall vultures 

270 ' And dogs devour : far be such a thing 

' For ever from mine ear ! But grieved although, 

1 If to my words we yield, then shall we hold 

' Our force all night assembled ; and our towers 

1 And lofty gates, and well-wrought folding-doors 

' Fitted thereto, high, joined all strong together, 

' Shall guard our Town. And on the towers to-morrow 

275 ' We'll stand girt all in arms at early dawn. 

1 Then should he haply think to leave his ships, 
1 And come to fight us at our wall, 't would be 
1 So much the w r orse for Him. Back to his galleys 
' He'll hie again, when haply enough of running 
1 Of all sorts has he given his proud-necked horses, 
1 Driving around the City to and fro. 

280 f Into the Town his heart shall sure forbid 
1 His rushing on ; nor shall he ever sack it : 
' Swift dogs shall first devour him I" Then outspake 
Unto him Hector of the glancing helm, 
Eyeing him grimly : "Pleasant things no longer 
' To me, Polydamas, here speakest thou, 
6 When thus thou bidst us go again and coop us 

285 ' Within the Town. Have ye not had enough 
1 Of cooping up in towers ? Erewhile forsooth 
'All language-gifted men were wont to speak 
' Of Priam's Town for wealth, wealthy in copper, 
1 Wealthy in gold : but perished utterly 
6 Are now the goodly treasures of its houses ; 
' And gone is many an heir-loom now for sale 

33 



514 THE ILIAD. XVIII. 

290 ' To Phrygia, and Maionia's lovely land, 

' Since mighty Zeus has been in wrath. But now, 
1 When at the ships the son of wily Chronos 
i Has given me thus to carry off the glory, 
1 And to force back the Achaians to the sea, — 
' Display not now, Simpleton, such thoughts 
1 Before our folk : for not shall ever a Trojan 

295 ' Comply therewith ; for sure 1 11 not permit. 
' But come, comply we all, as / would say : 
1 Take ye your supper now, by companies 
1 Throughout the host ; and keep ye watch and ward, 
1 And be awake each one : and for his goods 
i If any Trojan grieves excessively, • 
' Let him at once collect and give them all 

300 i Unto the people to consume in common ; 
' For better 'tis for any one to share them, 
' Than for the Achaians. And to-morow dawn 
' Let 's gird ourselves in harness and upstir 
1 Sharp Ares' war-strife at the hollow ships. 
' And if in truth up-risen is prince Achilles 
1 Beside his ships for battle, all the worse, 

305 ' If so he haply will, for him 't shall be : 
6 Not before kirn will I to flight betake me 
i From out the hateful battle : but 1 11 stand 
1 Steadfast before him, whether he, or I, 
- Shall haply win the mighty mastery : 
6 Ares is even-handed in his dealings, 
'And oft-times slays the slayer.' , So spake Hector : 

310 Whereat the Trojans shouted in applause, 
The simpletons ! for sure Athene Pallas 
Had reft them of their wits ; for here they agreed 
With Hector, giving mischievous advice ; 



book 2. 515 

Bat with Polydamas, who had given good counsel, 
Agreed forsooth not one. Then took they supper, 
Throughout the host : but all night long the Achaians 

315 Were wailing loud and mourning o'er Patroclus. 
And in loud lamentation foremost 'mongst them 
Peleides laid his warrior-slaughtering hands 
Upon his dear friend's breast, and sobbed full sore : 
E'en as a shaggy lion mourns, whose whelps 
Some huntsman after deer has carried off 
By stealth from out the forest thick ; and grieved 

320 Is he on coming to his lair too late ; 

And many a glen he traverses, and tracks 
The footsteps of the man, if anywhere 
He may but find him out ; for wrath, full hot, 
Has hold on him : so now with heavy sobs 
Spake He amongst his Myrmidons : " strange ! 
' Sure a vain word did I let fall that day, 

325 ' For cheering lord Menoitius in his halls ; 

6 And told him how his son should sure sack Ilion, 
? And take his due allotted share of booty, 
' And bring it home to far-famed Opoeis : 
1 But Zeus does not accomplish for mankind 
( Their every thought : for destined is't we both 

I Shall stain the same earth red, e'en here in Troy : 
330 i For in his palace neither shall the old horseman, 

i Peleus, receive me home ; nor shall my mother, 
' Thetis, but here the earth shall cover me. 
' Yet now since, Patroclus, after thee 

I I go beneath the earth, — I will not bury 

1 Thee with due honours, till at least I 've brought 
' The harness hither and the head of Hector, 
335 ' Thy mighty -hearted slaughterer. And in wrath 



516 THE ILIAD. XVIII. 

' For thy being slain twelve noble sons of Trojans 
' Will I behead before thy funeral pyre. 
' Meanwhile, outstretched beside my crook-beaked ships 
' Here shalt thou lie, e'en thus ; and night and day 
' Shall Trojan women, and deep-bosomed Dardans, 
' Shed tears around thee and wail, women whom we 

340 ' Ourselves have won by toil, when by main force 
' And lengthy spear we sacked yon wealthy Towns 
' Of language-gifted people." Saying thus, 
Godlike Achilles turned and bade his comrades 
Set a large three-legged caldron on the fire, 
That they might wash away the bloody gore 
From off Patroclus with all speed. Whereat 

345 Upon the blazing fire they set the tripod, 

For bath-supply : whereinto poured they water ; 
Then brought and kindled billet-wood beneath it. 
Eound went the fire about the tripod's belly ; 
And warm became the water : and when seething 
Hot was the water in the glittering copper, 
They straightway then both washed and 'nointed him 

350 With olive oil ; and filled his gaping wounds 

With unguent nine years old ; and on state bed 
Then laid and covered him from head to foot 
With linen fine for wearing ; and thereover, 
With a white pall. Then did the Myrmidons 
About foot-swift Achilles wail aloud, 
Mourning Patroclus all night long. Meanwhile, 

355 Zeus thus addressed his wife and sister Here : 
" So then at last, my large-eyed lady Here, 
( Accomplished hast thou thus the rousing up 
' Foot-swift Achilles : forth from thine own self 
i Sprung of a surety are these long-haired Argives ! " 



BOOK 2. 



517 



Straight answered him the large-eyed lady Here : 
' Terriblest Chronides ! what manner of word 

360 ' Is this thou say'st? 'Tis likely indeed I ween, 

' Any mere mortal wight, who is both death-doomed, 
1 And has no knowledge of such crafty counsels, 
1 Can glut his grudge against a man ! How then, 
' Why should not / who think to be the noblest 
' Among the goddesses (on both accounts, — 
1 By birth, and also that I'm called thy consort, 

365 ' And Thou 'mongst all the Deathless art the king), 
' Why should not I in my sore wrath contrive 
' Mischief against the Trojans?" Thus together 
In suchlike talk did they converse. Meanwhile, 
The silver-footed Thetis hied away 
Unto the imperishable starry palace, 
Distinguished 'mongst the Deathless, of Hephaistos, 

370 Brazen, which erewhile He, the Wry-legged one, 
Had builded for himself. And him she found 
Plying about his bellows busily, 
Sweating, in eager haste : for he was forging 
Full twenty tripods for his fair-built palace, 
To stand against the wall ; and golden wheels 
Beneath the bottom to them each he put, 

375 So that self-moving they should find their way 
Into the gods' assembly at his bidding ; 
And to his palace should return again ; 
A marvel to behold. And such an end 
Reached had they already ; but not yet thereto 
Were laid the cunningly-wrought ears, which now 
Contriving w r as he, and was forging rivets. 

380 While toiling thus with skilful w r its was He, 
To him the silver-footed goddess Thetis 



5.18 THE ILIAD. XVIII. 

Drew nigh at hand. And spied she was by Charis, 
Just come from forth the house, kind beauteous Charis,, 
Wearing bright kerchief lappets ; whom to wife 
The far-renown'd Halt-footed one had taken : 
So now she clasped her hand, and spake the word 

385 And uttered it aloud : " And wherefore hither 

' To our house dost thou come, long-robed Thetis, 
' Both loved and honoured ? Not aforetime oft 
' Dost visit here forsooth : but come in further, 
'That hostlike entertainment may I give thee." 
So saying, the fair of goddesses led on ; 
Then seated her upon a beauteous throne, 

390 Cunningly wrought, bedecked with silver studs, 
And footstool underneath : anon she called 
Hephaistos the famed smith, and spake this word : 
" Hephaistos, hie thee hither, quick ! some need 
1 Has Thetis here of thee." Straight answered her 
The far-famed Halt-foot : " Sure then in my house 
' Is now a goddess, awful and revered, 

395 i Who saved me, when I had fall'n afar, and on me 

i Came trouble, through my hound-faced mother's 'liest^. 

' Who thought to hide me away, for being lame : 

1 Then had I suffered sore distress at heart, 

1 Had not Eurynome, and also Thetis 

6 Given me a kindly welcome to their bosom ; 

' Eurynome, the back-flowing Ocean's daughter. 

400 i Nine years with them, within their hollow cave, 

' I forged them many a cunning work, — as brooches, 
'And bended ear-rings, knops, # and necklaces : 
' And round us flowed the stream immense of Ocean,. 
i Boiling with foam and roaring : and none else, 
* A sort of cup-shaped button. 



BOOK 2. 



519 



1 Either of gods or mortal men, had knowledge, 
' Save that both Thetis and Eurynome 

105 'Were with me, they who rescued me. So she 
' Now to our house has come : wherefore reward 
' For rescued life needs must I pay forsooth 
{ To fair-tressed Thetis. But at once before her 
' Set thou goo.d entertainment forth, while I 
' Be putting by my bellows, and all tools." 
He spake ; and from his anvil-block uprose 

110 The mighty monster, limping ; and beneath him 
His thin legs plied apace. First put he away 
His bellows from the fire : and all his tools, 
Wherewith he wrought, he gathered and laid by, 
Into a silver chest : then wiped him clean, 
With sponge, about his face, and both his arms, 
And sturdy neck, and hairy breast : then donned 

Ho His frock ; and took in hand his thick strong staff; 
And limping to the door he came his way ; 
And lustily beneath the king's weight moved 
Golden attendants, like to living maidens. 
Within their breasts indeed is understanding, 
And voice they also have, and strength, and skill, 
Given by the deathless gods, in handiwork. 
Supporting then, on either side, the king, 
Thus bustled they along ; and he drew near 
With limping gait where Thetis was ; and sat him 
Upon a splendid throne, then clasped her hand, 
And spake the word and uttered it aloud : 
" And wherefore, long-robed Thetis, art come hither 
' Unto our house, both dear and honoured friend ! 
' Sure heretofore not often com'st thou hither. 
1 Say whatsoe'er in mind thou hast : and me 



520 THE ILIAD. XVIII. 

' My heart bids do it, if do it at least I can, 
' And if it may be done." Thetis hereat, 
Shedding a shower of tears, thus answered him : 
" Hephaistos ! Oh, of all the goddesses 
4 That are upon Olympus, is there any 

430 * Has borne up in her heart 'gainst such sad woes, 
1 Such sorrows, as Zeus Chronides has laid 
' On me above them all ? Me forsooth only, 
' Of all sea-goddesses, he yoked in marriage 
' Unto a man, Peleus iEacides ; 
' And I 've endured the wedlock of a man, 
1 Fall sore against my will : worn out already 

435 ' By sad old age lies he indeed at home : 

' And now I 've more : for when he gave me a son, 
' Both to be born, and to bring up, distinguished 
' Past other lords ; and like a fair young plant 
' To manhood he ran up ; yea him I reared 
' Like as a thriving plant in fertile vineyard, 
' And sent him forth in crook-beaked ships to Ilion 

440 ' To fight the Trojans : but not back again 

' Him shall I welcome home, to Peleus' house. 

4 And while I have him living and he sees 

' The Sun's light, yet he's whelmed in grief; nor can I, 

' E'en if I went, avail him ever a whit. 

4 The damsel, whom forsooth as gift of honour 

' The Achaians' sons picked out for him and gave, 

445 ' Her from his arms again king Agamemnon 
' Has taken for himself. Thus for her sake 
' Pining at heart was he for very grief : 
' Meanwhile, the Trojans forced the Achaians back 
4 Close to their galley-sterns, and did not let them 
■ Come forth abroad : whereat the elder chiefs 



BOOK 2. 



521 



470 



Among the Achaians came entreating him, 

And named full many a noble gift. Then He, 

Himself indeed there roundly did refuse 

To ward the mischief off: but he did put 

Yea his own armour on his friend Patroclus, 

And to the battle sped him forth ; and forth 

As followers with him sent he a mighty host. 

Then fought they all day, up to the Scaian gates : 

And sure that self-same day they had sacked the Town, 

But that Menoitius' doughty son, who had wrought 

Much harm, was therefore slaughtered by Apollo 

Among the foremost fighters, and to Hector 

He gave thereof the glory. Wherefore now 

A suppliant am I come to these thy knees, 

If haply to my son, so soon to die, 

Thou wouldst but give a shield, and helm, and corslet, 

And goodly greaves, fitted with ankle clasps : 

For what he' had, his trusty friend has lost 

Slain by the Trojans ; and at heart sore grieved 

Lies He upon the ground." Straight answered her 

The far-renowned Halt-foot : " Cheer thee up ! 
Let not these things weigh heavy upon thy mind ! 
Ah, 'would I could away as easily hide him 
Aloof from hateful Death, when unto him 
Shall come his horrible destiny, — as now 
He soon shall have fair armour; such indeed, 
That whosoe'er of all mankind should see it, 
Shall marvel at the sight thereof." So saying, 

There left he her, and hied him to his bellows : 

Them to the fire he turned, and bade them work. 

So puffing were there at his foundry-pits 

Full twenty pair of bellows, letting forth 



522 THE ILIAD. XVIII. 

All manner of strong- blown blast, to be at hand 
To aid him, now in haste, and now slack- wise, 
Just as Hephaistos willed, and as his work 
Might be upon achievement. In the fire 

475 Anon he threw tough copper, tin, and silver, 
And costly gold : and then his mighty anvil 
On anvil-block he set ; and grasped in hand 
A heavy hammer, and in t'other hand 
Grasped he a pair of fire-tongs. Then a Shield 
Foremost of all, both large and strong, he made 
With quaint work decking it all o'er ; and round 

480 He put a splendid rim, gleaming, three-fold ; 
And silver strap thereto. With plates five-fold 
The Shield itself was laid ; whereon he fashioned 
With cunning skill full many a quaint device. 
Thereon he shaped the Earth, the Heaven, the Sea ; 
Also the unwearied Sun, and Moon at full : 
And thereon all those heavenly Signs, wherewith 

485 Encircled is the Heaven ;— the Pleiades ; 
The Hyades ; and strong Orion's might ; 
The Bear too, which folk also call the Wain, 
And which turns there, and watches mighty Orion ; 
And alone has no share in baths of Ocean. 
Thereon he also made two goodly Towns 

490 Of language-gifted men ; in one whereof 

Both marriage-feasts there were, and solemn banquets : 
And brides from forth their chambers were they leading, 
Under the shine of torches, through the City ; 
And loud uprose the wedding song. And lads 
Were whirling in the dance ; and 'mongst them flutes 

495 And harps kept up glad sound ; and there stood women, 
Each at her doorway, looking on with wonder. 



book 2. 523 

In an assembly too were crowded folk ; 

For there in court a strife at law had risen : 

Two men were quarrelling about a fine 

For a man slaughtered : bragging loud was one, 

Telling the people, how he had paid full quittance : 

500 T'other said No, he had ne'er received a mite. 
So both w r ere fain to take the matter's issue 
Before the judge. And for them both were folk 
Shouting applause, defenders on each side. 
And heralds were there keeping back the people ; 
And upon polished stones, in sacred circle, 
The Elders there were seated : and in hand 

505 They held the loud-voiced heralds' wands ; wherewith 
They then waved sign and gave in turn their judgment : 
And laid there was in midst before them all 
Two talents' weight of gold, for gift to him, 
Whoe'er should utter judgment the most fairly. — 
About the other Town, in field encamped, 
Brilliant in arms did sit two hosts of men. 

510 And for their liking was a several plan, 
Either to lay waste utterly ; or in twain 
To share amongst them every thing, — the wealth, — 
Whate'er the lovely Town contained within it. 
They of the Town complied not yet therewith ; 
But armed themselves in secret for an ambush. 
Whereat upon their wall, for ward thereof, 

515 Went their dear wives and stood, and thoughtless children, 
And 'mongst them men on whom old age had come. 
Then sallied they : and leading them went also 
The War-god Ares, and Athene Pallas; 
Golden they both ; and both wore golden raiment ; 
Comely and tall too, girt in arms ; and both, 



524 THE ILIAD. XVIII. 

Like gods indeed, right plain and clear distinguished : 
520 But smaller somewhat were the common men. 

Now when came they, where good it seemed for them 

To lie in ambush, at a river-side, 

Where also for all manner of grazing beasts 

Was ample watering-place, there squatted they, 

Covered with glittering brass. Then from their men 

Two scouts did squat apart, on watch, till haply 

525 Flocks might they spv and twist-horned beeves' approach. 
And soon to sight came they, and with them followed 
Two herdsmen, tuning merrily on pipes : 

And never an inkling had they of a snare. 
The ambush-men from far soon spied the cattle ; 
Ran up ; then swift surrounded and cut off 
The herds of beeves and the fat goodly flocks 

530 Of white-woolled sheep ; and slaughtered then the shepherds. 
Now when, in front of their assembly-place, 
The foemen as they sat, heard the loud noise 
Yonder among their beeves, they forthwith mounted, 
And went in chase, on brisk light-footed horses ; 
And soon came up. Then by the river-bank 
They stood and fought the fight, and each smote other 

535 With brass-tipped spears. And Strife was there amongst 
them, 
And Uproar in the throng ; and slaughterous Fate, 
Holding in grasp one, but now wounded, living ; 
And one unhurt ; another dead she dragged 
By foot along the battle. And on her shoulders 
A garment had she red with blood of men. 
Sure, like as living mortals, were they thronging ; 

540 And fighting ; and from one another dragging 
The slaughtered dead away. Also thereon 



book 2. 525 

He set a fallow-land, new-ploughed and soft, 

Fat earth, and broad, thrice-turned; wherein were ploughers,. 

Full many, here and there, in circling bouts 

Driving their yokes around. And as they reached, 

On having turned their bouts, the cornland's end, 

545 Then came to them as oft the husbandman, 
And gave a cup of honey-sweet smooth w T ine 
Into their hands : anon, along their furrows 
Again turned they, full fain to reach the end 
Of the deep new-tilled land. And all behind them 
'Twas turned up dark, and seemed as though 'twere 

ploughed ; 
Of gold although it was : here now was fashioned 

550 Indeed a passing marvel ! Also thereon 
He set a piece of land of heavy crop ; 
Wherein were hirelings gathering in the harvest, 
Holding their sharp-edged reaping-hooks in hand : 
And thick upon the ground along the swathe 
Falling were handfuls here ; and handfuls there 
Binders with bands were tying up in sheaves : 

555 Three tyers of sheaves were standing to their task : 
And in their rear were children gleaning handfuls, 
Bearing them in their arms, and in hot haste 
Giving them up : and standing there in silence 
Among them was the Master, staff in hand, 
Joyful at heart. And pages, far aloof, 
Beneath an oak were getting ready a feast : 

560 And a huge ox they had slaughtered and were dressing : 
Whereon white barley-groats in good supply 
Their wives were dredging ; dinner for the reapers. 
Thereon he also set a goodly vineyard, 
With bunches of ripe grapes full heavy laden, 



526 THE ILIAD. XVIII. 

Golden ; but black the clusters were about it : 
And all with silver vine-poles was it set 

565 Throughout. And on both sides he led a ditch, 
Dark blue ; and wall of beaten tin around it ; 
With one straight path alone thereto ; by which 
The carriers came, what time they cropped the vineyard* 
And maids and lusty lads, in youthful glee, 
Carried the luscious fruit in plaited baskets. 
And in the midst amongst them was a boy, 

570 With loud sweet lute, playing a lovely tune ; 
And with his chirping voice was softly singing 
The song of "Linos :" and along together, 
Beating the ground with feet in time, went they, 
Frisking, with song and dance and shouts of joy. 
Thereon he also made a herd of kine 
With upright horns : and fashioned were these cows 

575 Of gold, and tin : and hieing were they along, 
Bellowing, from the soil-yard forth to pasture 
Beside a sounding river, near a thicket 
Of waving reeds. And herdsmen four, of gold, 
One after other with the kine were walking ; 
And nine hounds, fleet on foot, were following them. 
And frightful, 'mongst the foremost kine, two lions 

580 Of a loud-roaring bull had hold : and dragged 
Was he along, sore bellowing : and in chase 
After him were the hounds and lusty youths. 
The great bull's hide now torn had those two lions, 
And the inwards were they swallowing greedily, 
And the dark blood : yet on in chase were coming 
The herdsmen still, cheering their nimble hounds. 

585 But back forsooth turned they from either lion, 

And would not bite, yet stood full near and bayed, 



book 2. 527 

And, ware, kept out of harm. Also thereon 

The far-famed Halt-foot made an ample pasture 

Of white-woolled sheep ; and cattle-stalls, and folds, 

And low-roofed cottages. Also thereon, 

With quaint device, the far-famed Halt-foot wrought 

A dancers' round ; like that which on a time 

The craftsman Daedalus in roomy Cnossus 

Wrought curiously for fair-tressed Ariadne. 

Herein were lusty lads and winning lasses 

A-dancing, each with other's wrist in hand : 

Wearing fine linen garments were the maidens : 

The youths had clothed themselves in fine-wov'n tunics, 

Shining with glossy oil : and comely wreaths 

The maidens wore : the youths had golden swords 

Hanging from silver belts. And round, some times, 

Ran they with skilful feet, so passing lightly, 

600 As when some potter sits and tries his wheel, 
Set ready to his hands, whether 'twill run : 
Again at other whiles to one another 
They ran in ranks. And round the lovely ring 
Stood a great crowd of people, all delighted : 
And full in midst among them whirled two topplers, 

605 First leading off with song. Also thereon 

He set the mighty strength of the Ocean-river, 
Along the quaint-wrought buckler's outmost rim. 
Now when he had made the Shield both large and strong, 
He also fashioned him a Breast-plate, shining, 
Brighter than fire-light : then he fashioned him 

610 A mighty Helmet, fair, of quaint device, 
Well-fitting for his temples ; and thereon 
A-waving set he a golden crest : and Greaves 
Of yielding tin he made him. When at last 



528 THE ILIAD. XVIII. 

Wrought had the far-famed Halt-foot all the arms, 
He took and set them 'fore Achilles' mother. 
615 And she thereat, from heights of snowy Olympus, 
Bearing Hephaistos' gift of armour bright, 
Sprang like a falcon forth for downward flight. 



BOOK T. 



529 



ARGUMENT OF THE NINETEENTH BOOK. T. 

Thetis brings the new armour to Achilles : he calls the Achaians to an 
assembly ; in which he publicly declares his wrath to be at an end : he 
accepts the gifts which Agamemnon offered him. The army take break- 
fast ; but Achilles has no mind for food : Athene gives him ambrosial 
refreshment. The host prepare for battle : Achilles puts on his new 
armour, and leads his Myrmidons to the field. One of his horses, 
lt Bayard," is endowed with speech, and foretells him his death ; at which 
he rebukes the horse, and drives forwards for the battle. 

TAU: how Achilles puts away his wrath; 
Dons his new arms, and rushes to the battle. 



Uprising was the saffron-mantled Eos 

From Ocean-streams, to bring her morning light 

To men and deathless gods. And with those gifts 

Given by the god came Thetis to the ships : 

There her dear son she found, wailing aloud, 

Lying stretched upon Patroclus : and around him 

Were many comrades weeping : in amongst them 

Came she, the fair of goddesses, and stood ; 

Then forthwith clasped his hand and spake this word, 

And uttered it aloud : " My son, Leave now, 

1 Leave we him lying here, though grieved we be ; 

6 Since by the gods' high pleasure has he fallen : 

6 And here, take thou these gallant arms, right goodly, 

' Hephaistos' gift, which no man ever yet 

31 



530 THB ILIAD. XIX. 

' Has borne upon liis shoulders." Saying thus, 
The goddess laid the arms before Achilles : 
And they, quaint-wrought, did all ring forth again. 
Trembling thereat seized all the Myrmidons, 
Nor dared they face and look on them, but shrank 

15 In fear away : yet soon as lord Achilles 

Had sight thereof, on him came bitter wrath 

Yet more and more : and awful in his head 

His eyes beneath their lids flashed forth, like lightning : 

Into his hands then took he with delight 

The god's bright gifts. And when to heart's content 

Enjoyed had he the sight of such quaint work, 

20 In winged words he straight addressed his mother : 
" mother mine, the god has given indeed 
i Such arms here, as is meet should be the work 
' Of deathless gods ; sure not for mortal man 
* E'er to have wrought : and now will I go arm : 
1 Yet sore indeed I fear, lest flies meanwhile 
1 Into Menoitius' gallant son should plunge, 

25 ' And breed their maggots in his brass-gashed wounds, 
' And so should do dishonour to his corse ; 
6 For life is quite put out ; and lest a change 
( Into decay should come o'er all his body." 
Thetis hereat, the silver-footed goddess, 
Thus answered him : " My child, Let not these matters 
' Weigh heavy on thy heart : wild swarms indeed 

30 ' I '11 try to keep away from him, — to wit, 
( Plies that so fain devour men slain in battle. 
' For should he lie, aye, for a full year round, 
i Still firm shall be his body, or even braver. 
' But go, call thou the Achaian chiefs to assembly, — 
' Renounce thy wrath against lord Agamemnon, 



book T. 531 

35 ' The pastor of the hosts, then with all speed 

' Harness thee for the fight, and Put on strength." 

So saying, she put within him battle-rage 

Full passing bold : then turned and shed ambrosia 

Into Patroclus' nostrils drop by drop, 

And ruddy nectar, wherewithal his body 

Should keep all sound. By the sea-shore now went 

40 The prince Achilles, shouting terribly, 

And roused the Achaian lords. And whosoe'er 
Were wont aforetime to remain behind 
Among their ships' assemblage, — e'en the pilots, 
They who had guidance of the galleys' helms, 
Ship-stewards too, dispensers of the food, 
E'en these forsooth to assembly now did come, 

45 Because Achilles shewed himself; and long, 

Too long he had stayed away from painsome battle. 
Anon came those two ministers of Ares, 
Limping along, Tydeides staunch in battle, 
And prince Odusseus, leaning on their spears ; 
For still in sorry plight remained their wounds : 

50 Now came they and sat them in the front assembly. 
Last came the chief of chieftains, also wounded, 
Lord Agamemnon ; for in sturdy fight 
Coon, Antenor's son, with brass-tipped spear 
Had wounded yea e'en him. Now when the Achaians- 
"Were gathered altogether, then upstood 

55 Foot-swift Achilles and outspake before them : 
" Atreides ! for us both, e'en thee and me, 
' A somewhat here had forsooth sure been better, 
' When that we twain, so vexed at heart, were raging 
' With soul-devouring strife, about a girl. 
4 'would had Artemis with arrow slain her 



532 



THE ILIAD. XIX. 



' On board niy ships that day when I destroyed 

60 ' Lyrnessos' Town, and took her : not had then, 

i Through my long-cherished wrath, so many Achaians 
' Bitten the ground, past tale, 'neath foemen's hands. 
' More gain sure 'twas for Hector and his Trojans ; 
' But of my strife and thine, I fear the Achaians 
1 Must long time have remembrance. Yet perforce 
i Tame we the mood within our breasts, and Let 

65 % Bygones be bygones, grieved howe'er we be. 
1 Here now an end forsooth make I of wrath ; 
1 For never a whit behoves it me to rage 
' Stubbornly on for ever. But come, now bid 
1 The long-haired Argives quickly to the battle, 
''That gainst the Trojans may I go at once, 

70 ' And prove if they 've a wish to pass the night 
' Beside our ships : yet many a one of them 
1 Would gladly bend, methinks, his knees for rest, 
* Whoe'er shall haply 'scape before our spear 
1 From out the slaughterous fight." He spake : and glad 
The fair-greaved Argives were, at bold Peleides 

75 Thus giving up his wrath. Then Agamemnon, 
The chief of chieftains, outspake thus before them, 
Straight from his throne, not standing* up in midst: 
" Friends ! Danaan lords ! ye ministers of Ares ! 
6 'Tis fair to listen unto him who rises, 
' And no-wise fitting is't to interrupt : 

80 ' For deft howe'er one be, 'tis hard to endure. 
' And how, amidst much gathered noise of men, 
' Can one or hear, or speak ? — he 's quite disabled, 
- However clear and loud the speaker be : 
' I '11 to Peleides turn me now ; yet here, 

* It was usual to rise and speak ; but, being wounded, he did not stand up now. 



book T. 533 

'Also ye Argives each and all, give heed 

'And note ye well my word. Oft on this matter, 

85 ' Spoken to me already have the Achaians, 
1 And wrangled with me too : not chargeable 
'Am I howe'er, but Zeus, and Destiny, 
' And fell Erinnys, she who haunts in darkness ; 
' 'T was they did put wild blindness in my heart, 
' That day in our assembly, when his gift 
' Of honour I did wrest from lord Achilles. 

90 ' But what then could I do ? Zeus at his will 

' Brings all things to fulfilment. Honoured daughter 

' Of Zeus is baneful Ate, mischievous, 

' She who leads all astray : her feet forsooth 

'Are soft, for to the ground she comes not near, 

' But on the pates of men about goes she, 

' Misleading folk ; and therefore sure she trami: els 

95 ' One way or other. For, to wit, e'en Zeus 
' Once on a time indeed she led astray, 
' Him far the best, they say, of gods and men : 
' But then 'twas Here, being forsooth a female, 
' Outwitted Him by wiliness, that day, 
' On which Alcmene was to have given birth 
'To mighty Heracles, in fair-walled Thebes. 
100 ' Bragging spake He forsooth 'fore all the gods : 
" Give ear to me, both all ye goddesses, 
" And all ye gods, and forth I '11 say, as bids me 
"The heart within my bosom : Eileithyia, 
" Helper of women's throes, this day shall bring 
" A man to light, who o'er all neighbours round him 
" Shall be the sovereign lord, and sprung from men, 

105 " Who come of me by blood." To whom thereat 
' Spake thus the lady Here, wily-minded : 



110 



534 THE ILIAD. XIX. 



' False wilt thou prove, and wilt again not put 
i Achievement on thy word. Yet wouldst thou so, — 
' Come then, Olympian Sire, now Swear to me 
1 The steadfast oath that sure the sovereign lord 

* O'er all his neighbours round shall He become 

* Who falls from 'twixt a woman's feet this dav, 

1 Sprung from those men, whose blood descends from thee." 

She spake : and never an inkling of her guile 

Had Zeus, but sware the mighty oath, and thus 

Did mighty foolishly. Away rushed Here, 

Quitted the Olympian peak, and swiftly came 

Unto Achaian Argos, where she had seen 

The goodly consort of lord Sthenelos 

The son of Perseus : now a boy had she 

Within her womb, and her seventh month had come : 

Forth to the light of day then Here drew him 

Forward, e'en missing of his timely month, 



llo 



120 



V2o 



And checked Alcmene's bringing forth, and hindered 

The Eileithyise going to her aid. 

Then with the news went she herself, and thus 

Addressed Zeus Chronides : " A word for thee, 

1 Zeus father, of the shining bolt, — I'll put 

' Into thy heart : already the brave man 

1 Is born, thy stock, who shall be king o'er Argives ; 

1 To wit, Eurystheus, child of Sthenelos 

'The son of Perseus # : not unseemly is it 

' For him o'er Argives to be sovereign lord." 

She spake : whereat sharp sorrow smote Him deep 

At inmost heart ; and straightway wroth in soul 

He seized the mischief-dealing goddess Ate, 

Her head with glossy locks, and sware great oath, 

* The son of Zeus and Danae. 



BOOK T. 



535 



1 That to Olympus and the starry heaven 
1 Ate should nevermore come back again, 

* Misleading all. So saying, he whirled her round 
' By hand, and flung her from the starry heaven : 

' And quickly came she to the doings of men. 

1 Then Her, his mischief, he lamented ever, 

1 When that he saw his own dear son* enduring 

' Unseemly work of Labours at the bidding 

1 Of lord Eurystheus. I in like sort also, 

1 When mighty Hector of the glancing helm 

' Slaughters our Argives at our galley-sterns, — 

' Not am I able to forget my Mischief, 

1 Her by whose guidance I Ye been once mis-led. 

1 As I did foolishly howe'er, and Zeus 

' Bereft me of my wits, — amends again 

* I wish to make, and to give countless ransom. 
' But Up ! arouse thee to the fight, and forth 

i Rouse all thy troops : and here am I, will give thee 

1 All whatsoever gifts were promised thee 

' By prince Odusseus at thy huts yestreen. 

i Or wait, if wouldst thou, fain howe'er for battle, 

1 Until my squires shall fetch for thee the gifts 

1 From out my ship and bring : so shalt thou see, 

' How that I'll give thee to thy heart's content." 

Then answered him and spake foot-swift Achilles : 

" Atreides, most glorious Agamemnon, 

' Chieftain of chiefs, — to give gifts, as is meet, 

* If so indeed thou wouldst,— or to withhold, 

' Is in thy power : but now bethink we of battle 

' Bight speedily : for it behoves us not 

1 Here to be spinning out the time and dallying ; 

* Heracles. 



536 



THE ILIAD. XIX, 



155 



160 



165 



170 



For yet undone remains the mighty Work : 
Then haply many a one shall yet again 
Behold Achilles 'mongst the foremost fighters 
Waste with his brazen spear the Trojan ranks.. 
So too Let every one of you bethink him 
To battle man to man." Then answered him 
Odusseus ever-ready and said : " Yet so,— 
Bold howsoe'er thou art, godlike Achilles, — 
Urge not the Achaians' sons, fasting, to Ilion 
For fighting with the Trojans ; for the combat 
Will last no little while, when once the lines 
Of men shall meet in battle-shock together, 
And when the god shall breathe his furious rage 
Into both hosts. But straightway bid the Achaians- 
Partake of bread and wine by the swift ships ; 
For this, 'tis force and might : not shall a man, 
Fasting from food till sundown, all day long, 
Be strong enough to face the foe in battle. 
For fain to fight howe'er he be in spirit, 
Yet wearied unawares become his limbs, 
And thirst and hunger seize him ; and his knees 
Are hampered as he steps. But when a man 
Has filled himself with food and wine, and so 
Fights all day long with foemen, sure the heart 
Within his breast is bold, and never a whit 
A-wearied are his limbs, till every man 
Withdraws from fight. Then come, scatter the men,. 
And bid get breakfast ready : and those gifts 
Into the assembly's midst let Agamemnon 
The chief of chieftains bring, that all the Achaians 
Here may behold them 'fore their eyes, and Thou 
Be warmed thereby at heart. And 'mongst the Argive& 



BOOK r. 



537 



175 



180 



185 



190 



195 



1 Let him stand up and swear an oath to thee, 
1 He ne'er has climbed her bed, nor lain with her, 
'As is, my lord, the manner of man and wife. 
' And gracious Be the spirit in thy heart also. 
' Then further Let him soothe thee in his huts 
'With a rich banquet, that of rightful due 
' Thou mayst have nothing short. And thou, Atreides, 
1 Wilt henceforth be more righteous, yea, towards all : 
1 For that a warrior-prince should be displeased, 
' Indeed must never a whit be taken ill 
1 By one who has been the first in violent usage. " 
Hereat the chief of chieftains, Agamemnon, 
Thus answered him : " From thee I'm glad to hear 
This word, Laertiades ; for rightly 
The matter hast thou touched at every point 
And laid down well. And ready am I to take 
This oath at once, for so my heart commands me, 
Nor falsely will I swear, by a god : but here, 
Though fain for battle, Let Achilles bide 
So long at least, and bide ye others also, 
Until the gifts arrive from out my hut, 
And solemn oaths we'll make with sacrifice. 
And this charge on thyself lay I, and bid thee, — 
Choose youths the noblest of the allied Achaians 
For fetching from my galley all the gifts 
We yestreen undertook to give Achilles ; 
And bring ye too the women. And let Talthybius 
Seek swiftly through the Achaian wide-spread host. 
And ready fetch me a boar to sacrifice, 
Both to the Sun-god Helios and to Zeus." 
Then answered him and spake foot-swift Achilles : 
" Atreides, most glorious Agamemnon, 



538 THE ILIAD. XIX. 

200 r Chieftain of chiefs, these matters ought ye rather 
1 To tend forsooth at other time, whenever 
' Haply shall be some rest from war 'twixt whiles ; 
' And when I Ve not such mighty battle-rage 
' Within my breast : for lying yonder now 
4 Slaughtered are they, whom Hector, Priam's son, 

205 ' Bowed down, when Zeus gave unto him the glory : 
4 But hasten you for breakfast : I forsooth 
' Would now for my part bid the Achaians' sons 
4 Fight fasting, foodless ; and at set of sun 
' Dress a great supper, when we Ve taken vengeance 
1 For the foe's outrage. Not ere then i' faith 

210 ' Shall meat or drink go down this throat of mine ; 
1 While dead, up-turned towards the door, my friend 
' Mangled by edge of brass lies in my huts ; 
4 And comrades wail around : wherefore at heart 
4 No care have I for meat and drink ; but blood, 
4 And slaughter, and the painsome groan of warriors." 

215 Then answered him Odusseus ever-ready : 
" Peleus' son, Achilles, bravest far 
' Of all the Achaians, mightier not a little 
4 Than I thou art with spear, and hast more strength ; 
4 Yet far mayhap might I pass thee in wisdom, 
4 Seeing I'm older, and have larger lore ; 

220 ' So let thy heart be patient at my words. 
4 Surfeit of battle-din men quickly have, 
' When on the ground war's brazen sickle strews 
' The fullest crop : and shortest is the harvest, 
' When Zeus inclines the scales ; for the Controller 
' Of mankind's war is He. But not by fasting 

225 ' Must the Achaians think to mourn one dead : 
4 For far too many every day they 're falling 



book T. 539 

1 One after -other : Who could so have respite 

1 At any time from grief? But it behoves us, 

i Whene'er one falls, to keep a dogged spirit, 

1 And to shed tears the day and bury him. 
230 ' And whosoe'er survive the hateful battle, 

1 Must all bethink themselves of meat and drink, 

6 That so yet evermore incessantly 

1 Against the foemen may we fight, begirt 

' With stubborn brass about us : Let then none 

' Of all our men hold back in expectation 

1 Of yet another summons ; for this call 
235 ' Shall be an ugly matter unto him, 

1 Who haply lags behind at the Argive ships : 

1 But let us all together sally forth, 

1 And rouse fierce Ares 'gainst the Trojan horsemen." 

He spake ; and chose the sons of glorious Nestor 

To be his escort ; also Melanippos ; 

And Thoas ; and Meriones ; and Meges, 
240 The son of Phyleus ; also Ly corned, 

Creiontes' son : their way then to the hut 

Of lord Atreides Agamemnon went they. 

Whereat, — no sooner said than deed was done ; 

Seven tripods, as he had promised him, they fetched 

From out the hut, and twenty glittering caldrons : 

Also twelve horses : forth anon they led 
245 Blemishless women, skilled in handiwork, 

Seven ; and then eighth, the comely-cheeked Briseis. 

Talents of gold Odusseus now weighed out, 

Full ten, then forth he led the way, and with him 

Came all his escort of Achaian youths 

Bearing the gifts. Anon in mid assembly 

They set them all : then up stood Agamemnon*: 



540 THE ILIAD. XIX. 

250 While, standing close beside the people's pastor, — 
Talthybius, like the gods in wondrous voice, 
Held fast in hand the boar. Then with his hands 
Atreides drew his knife (which always hung 
Beside the mighty scabbard of his sword), 
Wherewith the bristles of the boar he severed 
For firstlings ; and with arms upraised to Zeus 

255 He prayed aloud ; while sitting there before him 
In silence were the Argives all in order, 
List'ning unto the king. And thus he spake 
In prayer, uplooking to the vasty heaven : 
" Highest and best of gods, now foremost Zeus 
1 Be Witness ; Witness too be Earth, and Helios, 
i And the dread Furies, who beneath the Earth 

260 ' Chastise mankind, whoe'er shall swear false oath ; 
6 1 Ve ne'er laid hand upon the lass Briseis, 
' Nor sought her bed, nor any way have wronged her ; 
' But in my huts remained has she untouched. 
i And if a word hereof be falsely sworn, 
i May the gods give me as much and sore distress, 
( As ever they award to him who sins 

265 i Against them in his oath." He spake ; and severed 
The gullet of the boar with ruthless knife. 
Then with a swing Talthybius flung the beast 
Into the surfy sea's vast depth, — food there 
For fishes : now Achilles rose and spake 
Before the warlike Argives : " Father Zeus, 

270 ' On men indeed thou bringest sore delusions ! 
' Sure never had Atreides moved so throughly 
'Wrath in my heart; nor had he, in his trouble, 
'Taken away the lass, against my will : 
' But Zeus, I ween, desired that many Achaians 



book T. 541 

' Should be bowed down.— But now to breakfast Lie ye, 
275 ' And then we '11 soon begin the battle-strife. " 

So spake he ; and in haste brake up the assembly. 

Whereat dispersed they each to his several ship. 

Then of the gifts the high-souled Myrmidons 

Took busy charge, and with them hied away 

To prince Achilles' ship : into his huts 
280 They put the chattels ; bade the women sit ; 

And gallant pages led away the horses 

To stable with the stud. Anon Briseis, 

In comeliness like golden Aphrodite, 

At seeing Patroclus rent by sharp-edged brass, 

Flinging herself about him shrieked aloud ; 

And with her hands did tear her tender neck 
285 And breasts and beauteous face : anon the woman, 

Comely as goddesses, outspake all wailing : 

" Patroclus ! most pleasing to the soul 

' Of wretched Me ! Thee living did I leave, 

1 When from this hut I went away : but now, 

i marshaller of hosts, I find thee dead, 

1 At coming back again. Ah ! how does woe 
290 ' For ever after woe come forth to meet me ! 

1 The husband, unto whom my lady mother 

' And father gave me, him indeed I saw 

' Mangled with sharp-edged sword before our Town ; 

' Three beloved brethren too (one mother bare us) ; 

' They also met their day of slaughterous doom. 

' Yet sure thou never a whit didst let me wail, 
295 i What time foot-swift Achilles killed my husband, 

1 And sacked the City of the godlike Mynes ; 

' But aye wast wont to promise thou wouldst make me 

' Godlike Achilles' lawful wedded wife, 



542 THE ILIAD. XIX. 

' And on board ship wonldst carry me to Phthia, 
'And there amongst the Myrmidons wouldst give me 
'A marriage-banquet. Wherefore for thee dead, 

300 'Thee always kind, I wail unceasingly." 

So spake she wailing : with her too the women 

Did also mourn, — in shew as for Patroclus, 

But in sad truth each for her own distress. 

Wow round the prince thronged elders of the Achaians, 

Entreating him to break his fast : whereat 

He sighed, and still said nay : " I do entreat, 

305 ' If ever a friend of mine complies with me, 
1 Urge me not yet to sate my soul with meat, 
1 Neither with drink, for strange distress is on me ; 
1 But thus 1 11 hold till sun-down, and endure 
6 Whate'er betide." So saying, he dispersed 
The other princes ; but the two Atreides, 

310 And prince Odusseus, and the old horseman Phoenix, 
Idomeneus and Nestor, still remained, 
All fain to cheer him under his distress : 
Yet cheered at heart he was not ever a whit, 
Till plunged he into the jaws of bloody battle. 
Mindful meanwhile, oft fetched he a deep-drawn sigh, 

315 And said : " Ah sure, yea thou thyself, most luckless, 
' Dearest of friends ! didst set for me erewhile 
' The dainty breakfast forth with ready speed 
1 Here in the hut, when hasting were the Achaians 
' Forth with sad battle 'gainst the Trojan horsemen. 
' But now — torn liest thou ; my heart the while 

320 ' Fasting from meat and drink (though plenty in hut) 
' Through yearning after thee : Oh nothing worse 
' Could e'er befall me ; not e'en did I hear 
■* How that my sire was dead ; who haply now 



LOOK T. 



043 



4 In Phthia drops a tender tear, at loss 
4 Of such a son ; and here am I the while, 

325 ' On foreign land for horrible Helen's sake, 

1 Fighting against the Trojans :— or of the death 

1 Of him, mine own dear boy, who is reared for me 

4 In Scyros (if he 's haply yet alive), 

1 My godlike Neoptolemos.^ Ah sure 

1 The heart within my breast erewhile did hope, 

4 That / alone should perish here in Troy 

330 4 Far from horse-pasturing Argos ; and that Thou 
4 To Phthia shouldst return ; and forth from Scyro& 
4 On dark swift ship shouldst take for me that boy, 
'And shew him everything,— -my heritage, 
'And all my serfs, and ample high-roofed palace. 
4 For now, or dead outright, methinks, is Peleus ; 

335 4 Or hardly yet alive, mayhap, he grieves, 
4 In sad old age and ever looking out 
4 For mournful news of me., when he should hear 
4 How that I had perished. " Wailing spake he thus : 
And with him also sighed the chieftain elders, 
Mindful, each one, of all they had left at home. 

340 Now them, thus mourning, Chronides beheld, 

And pitied them ; and straight spake winged words 

Unto Athene : " my child, aloof 

4 Now dost thou keep thee quite from yon brave man : 

1 Is then Achilles now thy thought no longer ? 

' Lo, there before his upright-crested galleys 

345 * Sits he, bewailing his dear friend ; and gone 
4 Already are yon others all to breakfast ; 
1 But fasting He, and foodless. Hie thee then, 

* This Neoptolemos came to the Trojan war after the death of his father there ; 
and, on his return home, married Hermione, the daughter of Menelaus and Helen. 
See Odyssey, Book ii., 5-15. 



544 THE ILIAD. XIX. 

1 Go, drop thou lovely ambrosia into his heart, 
1 And nectar, so that hunger may not touch him." 
So saying, he urged Athene— fain already : 

350 Whereat, like as a long-winged, shrill-voiced kite, 

Sprang she from out of heaven down through the ether : 
Now, at this very nick, throughout the host 
Began the Achaians putting on their harness, 
When into Achilles' heart dropped she the nectar 
And lovely ambrosia, so that joyless hunger 
Should not attack his knees. # Away then she, 

355 Unto her mighty father's firm-built palace : 

And they, the troops, from forth the nimble ships 
Poured in a stream along. And as when forth 
Fly snow-flakes thick from Zeus, cold 'neath the force 
Of northern Boreas sprung from womb of ether ; 
So thick from forth the galleys now were borne 

•360 Helmets, all shining bright, and bossy shields, 

And strong-pieced corslets, and tough ashen spears. 
The shine thereof reached heaven, and earth all round 
Did laugh again beneath the glitter of brass : 
And tramping din rose 'neath the tread of troopers : 
And harnessed 'mongst them was the prince Achilles : 

365 Yea of his teeth was gnashing, and his eyes 
Did flash, like as a blazing fire ; for grief 
Unbearable had plunged into his soul : 
Whereat all raging hot against the Trojans 
He donned the Fire-god's gifts, which king Hephaistos 
With toil had fashioned him. First on his legs 

: 370 The goodly greaves, fitted with silver anklets, 
He put ; and next he donned about his chest 
The corslet ; then the silver-studded sword, 

* In Homer, the word " knees" often is used to signify bodily strength. 






book T. 545 

Brazen, he slung with belt about his shoulders : 
Anon he took the shield both large and sturdy, 
And forth afar did rise the shine thereof, 
As of the moon. And as when to the sight 

375 Of shipmen out at sea appears the blaze 
Of kindled beacon-fire, when on the hills 
It burns on high beside some lonely fold ; 
But storm-winds hurry them, despite their will, 
Out o'er the fishy deep, far from their friends ; 
So from Achilles' quaint-wrought goodly shield 
Went a bright glare to heaven : then took he and set 

380 The mighty helmet on his head ; and forth, 

Like as a star, did shine that horse-tailed helm ; 
And round about did float the golden hair, 
Which thick had king Hephaistos let flow down 
About the helmets ridge. Now to the proof 
Did prince Achilles put himself i' th' harness, 
If on him would they fit, and if therein 

385 His gallant limbs might freely move : and sure 
To him they were as wings, and lifted up 
The pastor of the host. Anon he drew 
From out its case his father's mighty spear, 
Strong, weighty ; which none other of Achaians 
Had power to wield ; but only had Achilles 
Skill to wield that) hard ash from off mount Pelion ; 

390 Felled was it for his father erst by Cheiron 
From Pelion s top, to be the death of heroes. 
And now Automedon and Alkimos 
Harnessed and yoked his horses, and made fast 
The goodly girths about them ; and the bits 
Into their jaws they laid, then drew the reins 
Back to the close-joined chariot-board : and he, 

35 



546 THE ILIAD. XIX. 

395 Automedon, now seized the splendid whip, 
Handy to grasp, and leapt upon the chariot : 
Then all equipped, Achilles mounted after, 
In armour shining, like as Hyperion, 
The Sun-god, beaming bright. Then terribly 
Unto his father's horses thus he shouted : 
" Bayard I and Pyeball! ye renowned son& # 

400 ' Of Hurricane Whitefoot! otherwise now mind ye 
' Into the Danaans* host to bring safe back 
1 Your charioteer, when we Ve enough of battle I 
i Nor leave him there, dead, as ye did Patroelus !** 
Anon, from neath the yoke straight answered him 
Bayard, the nimble-footed horse ; and low 
Drooped he forthwith his head ; whereat his mane 

405 From out the yoke-strap streamed beyond the yoke* 
All reaching to the ground : and able of speech 
The white-armed goddess Here rendered him : 
" Yea verily, yet now at least, safe back 
' We '11 bring thee, mighty Achilles : yet thy day 
' Of death draws nigh at hand : nor blameable 
1 A whit herein are rve, but the great god 

410 i And powerful Destiny. Ah, not indeed 

' Through laziness and sloth in us did Trojans 

i Strip off thy harness from Patroclus' shoulders : 

■ But 't was the choicest of the gods, even he 

1 Whom fair-haired Leto bore, he slaughtered him 

1 'Mongst the front lines, and to Hector gave the glory. 

'Sure alongside forsooth with blast of Zephyr, 

415 ' Which yet they say is nimblest far, we twain 
' Would run apace : but for thyself 't is fated 
1 To be bowed down perforce by a god and man. ,> 

* See B. xvi., 148, etc. 









book T. 647 

When thus much had he said, the avenging Furies 
Checked further speech. Anon foot-swift Achilles 
Pull heavy at heart thus answered him : " Bayard ! 

I Wherefore dost prophesy to me my death ? 
420 * For no-wise it behoves thee : well indeed 

I I myself know i faith, how that my doom 
' Is here to perish, far away from home, 

' Father and mother : yet even so, nathless, 
' I '11 not leave off, until I Ve driven the Trojans 
' Unto their fill of war !" — He spake ; and out 
Forwards he urged his firm-hoofed steeds with shout, 



548 THE ILIAD. XX. 



ARGUMENT OF THE TWENTIETH BOOK. T. 

By the permission of Zeus, all the gods come down to take part in the 
war : on the Achaian side, Here, Athene, Poseidon, Hephaistos and 
Hermes : on the Trojan side, Aphrodite and Apollo ; Artemis, Leto, 
Ares, and the river-god Scamander. iEneas, fighting against Achilles, 
is rescued by Poseidon, -who enwraps him in a hazy cloud. Achilles 
slaughters many, and amongst them Polyddrus, a son of Priam. Hector 
then stands against him, but soon retreats and Apollo saves him. The 
Trojans are thoroughly routed by Achilles, and driven back to their 
Town. 

UPSIL ON sings the battle of the gods ; 
And many a marvloas deed of prince Achilles. 



Thus at the crook-beaked galleys did the Achaians, 

Insatiable of battle, don their harness 

Hound thee, son of Peleu3, at thy bidding : 

On the other side, upon the rising plain, 

The Trojans also armed them. Zeus meanwhile, 

From many-delled Olympus' peak, bade Themis 

To call the gods to assembly : she thereat 

Went hasting to and fro and bade them come 

Unto Jove's court. Now of all the River-gods, 

Save Ocean, none was absent ; neither one 

Of all the Nymphs, who dwell in grassy meadows, 

And in fair groves, and in the springs of rivers. 

Soon as they had reached cloud-gatherer Jove's abode, 



BOOK T. 



549 



10 Down sat they in the polished corridors, 
Which king Hephaistos of his cunning skill 
Had built for father Zeus. Thus were they gathered 
Within Jove's courts : nor heedless was Poseidon, 
The great Earth-Shaker, of the goddess' bidding, 
But unto them he came from out the sea. 
Anon he sat in midst, and thus enquired 
Into the will of Zeus : " And wherefore now, 
1 Lord of the flashing thunder, hast thou called 
1 The gods to assembly ? Art thou pondering aught 
1 Of Trojans and Achaians ? for full near 
1 Now is their war and battle blazing forth.' , 
Then answered him and spake cloud-gatherer Zeus : 
"Thou know'st, Shaker of the Earth, the counsel 
' Within my bosom, and for sake of whom 
' I 've summoned you together : — still my care 
1 Are they, though perishing. Yet stay will I 
1 Here in Olympus' clefts and sit aloof, 
1 Whence I'll delight my soul in looking on : 
■ But ye all here, now go ye at your will 
1 'Mong Trojans and Achaians, and aid both, 
1 Just how your minds be set. For should Achilles 
1 Think but alone to fight against the Trojans, 
1 Not e'er a moment shall they hold their ground 
1 Against foot-swift Peleides. For afore 
' Sure did they tremble but at sight of him : 
' But now, when all so sore at very heart 
1 For friend is he, I fear he '11 quite destroy, 
' Yea beyond Destiny, their strong Town-wall." 
So spake Chronion, and upstirred thereby 
War unabating. Then, with minds two ways, 
Forth went the gods to war. The lady Here ; 



559 THE ILIAD. XX. 

Pallas Athene also ; and Poseidon, 

The Compasser of Earth ; and gainsome Hermes, 

35 The Lucky Helper, passing shrewd in wit, 

Hied to the ships' assemblage : with them also 
Went, boasting of his might, Hephaistos, limping ; 
And lustily his thin legs moved beneath him. 
To side with Trojans went the war-god Ares 
With glancing helm ; with whom went also Phoebus, 
Of youthful locks unshorn ; and Artemis, 

40 The Arrow-queen ; and Leto too, and Xanthus ; # 
Also the Queen of Smiles, fair Aphrodite. 
Now while aloof indeed from death-doomed men 
The gods remained, so long forsooth the Achaians 
Were vaunting mightily, because Achilles 
Now shewed himself ; for long, too long, he had ceased 
From painsome battle : and a horrible quaking 

45 Crept up the limbs of each and every Trojan, 
Affrighted, when they saw foot-swift Peleides, 
Brilliant in arms, like unto slaughterous Ares. 
But when the Olympian gods had thus come down 
Into the throng of men, then sturdy Strife, 
Rouser of peoples, rushed forth furiously ; 
Then did Athene shout, standing sometimes 

50 Beside the deep-dug trench, outside the wall ; 
And sometimes on the many-sounding shores 
She cried aloud. And shouting too was Ares, 
Like a dark hurricane, on t' other side, 
From topmost citadel, with sharp command 
Bidding the Trojans on ; and sometimes running 
To Fair-hill^ by the banks of Simois. 

* So called by the gods ; but by men, " Scamander ; " a river near Ilion. 

f A knoll, in front of the Town, perhaps the same as that called Batieia.: b. ii. 811. 



book T. 551 

55 Thus did the happy gods urge both sides on, 
And set them both together, and amidst them 
Let painsome Strife break loose. And terribly- 
Thundered the Sire of men and gods on high : 
Up from below anon Poseidon shook 
The boundless Earth, even mountains' lofty tops : 
And all the foot of many-fountained Ida, 

80 And all her topmost crests did quake again ; 

So did the Trojans' Town, and the Argives' galleys. 
And frighted in the nether world was Hades, 
The king of those below ; and in his fright 
Sprang from his throne, and cried aloud for fear, 
Lest the great Shaker of the Land, Poseidon, 
Should burst the Earth asunder from above him ; 

65 And so to deathless gods and death-doomed men 
Should be disclosed to sight his dread abodes, 
Fearsome to look on, dank and dark, at which 
The very gods all shudder. Such great noise 
Burst forth when met the gods in strife together. 
For there indeed now stood Apollo Phoebus, 
With feathered shafts, against the king Poseidon : 

70 'Gainst Ares was Athene, bright-eyed goddess : 
And against Here stood the Arrow-queen, 
Artemis, loud-voiced, with her golden shafts, 
The Archer-god's own sister : and 'gainst Leto 
Stood sturdy Hermes, Bringer of good luck ; 
And 'gainst Hephaistos rose the mighty River, 
Deep-eddying, named Scamander by mankind, 

75 But by the gods called Xanthus, Thus went They, 
Gods against gods : but longing was Achilles 
Full fain to plunge into the throng 'gainst Hector 
Priainides ; for with the blood of Him 



552 THE ILIAD. XX. 

Most chiefly did his heart fain bid him glut 
The sturdy buckler-bearing war-god Ares. 
But right against Peleides lord Apollo, 
80 Rouser of hosts, now urged iEneas forth, 

And put brave strength within him. Like in voice 
He made himself to Priam's son Lycaon : 
So in such guise, Apollo, son of Zeus, 
Accosted him : " Ah, Where are now thy boasts, 
Counsellor of Trojans, lord iEneas, 
Which to the Trojan princes thou didst promise, 
85 ' When drinking wine, that thou wouldst stand and fight 
'Gainst Peleus' son Achilles, face to face?" 
Anon ^Eneas answered him and said : 
' Priamides, why suchwise bidst thou Me, 
And that against my will, to cope in battle 
With lofty-souled Peleides ? Not indeed 
Now for the first time should I take my stand 
90 ' Against foot-swift Achilles ; but already 

Me with his lance, yea erewhile, has he scared 
From Ida, when he there attacked our kine : 
And Pedasos he ravaged and Lyrnessos : 
But Zeus delivered me, by stirring up 
My might and nimble knees. Else, I had been slain 
Sure 'neath Achilles' and Athene's hands, 
95 ' Who came before him and did give him Light, 
And bade him slaughter with his brazen spear 
Trojans and Lelegans. Wherefore not man 
Can fight against Achilles face to face : 
For always some one of the gods is with him, 
And from him wards off ruin. And e'en besides, 
With sure straight aim his own bolt flies, nor ceases, 
100 ' Till through man's flesh 't has passed : yet if indeed 



book T. m 553 

1 The god would strain the tug of war but fairly, 
' Sure not then eas'ly should he master me; 
1 No, not e'en if he boasts himself all-brazen. " 
Then answered him the king, Jove's son, Apollo : 
" Yet come, my lord ; to the everliving gods 
1 Pray also Thou ; for thou, they say, art born 

105 i Of Aphrodite, daughter of high Zeus ; 
1 But of a lower goddess born is He : 
' His mother sprang from the Ancient of the Deep, 
1 But thine from Zeus. Then bring thy sturdy brass 
1 To bear right straight upon him : and by threats 
' And wretched words, no, never let him turn thee." 

110 So saying, he breathed into the people's pastor 

A mighty strength : and through the foremost fighters 

His way he went, all armed in glittering brass. 

Anchises' son howe'er did not escape 

The white-armed Here's notice, as he came 

To face Peleides, through the throng of warriors. 

So presently she called the gods together, 

115 And 'mongst them spake this word : " Now in your hearts 
1 Ponder you twain, Athene and Poseidon, 
' How shall these matters be : for lo, ^Eneas, 
* All armed in glittering brass, comes hitherward 
1 To face Peleides : and Apollo Phoebus 
1 Has urged him on. But come ye, him at once 
' Let Us nathless turn back again ; or else 

120 ' Let also one of us stand by Achilles, 

1 And give him sturdy might ; and let him not 
1 In heart fail ever a whit : that he may know, 
1 How that the choicest of the Deathless love him ; 
1 And windy boasters they, who are warding off 
' Slaughter and war this long time from the Trojans. 



554 THE ILIAD. XX. 

125 ' And from Olympus have we all come down 
' Unto this fight, lest any harm befal him 
' This day among the Trojans : yet hereafter 
4 He sure must suffer whatsoe'er his Fate 
' Spun him at birth with his first thread of life, 
1 What time his mother bare him. If howe'er 
4 Achilles learns not this from voice of gods, 

130 ' Then will he be afraid, should any god 
4 In battle come against him : for the gods 
'To appear in bodily form are terrible." 
Anon Poseidon, Shaker of the Earth, 
Thus answered her : " Here, Be not sore 
4 Senselessly : for it sure behoves not Thee. 
4 For my part not would I that we gods here 

135 • Should any of us join in battle-strife, 

4 For much are we their betters. But go rce 
4 Out of the way to a look-out place and sit, 
1 And let the battle be for men's concern. 
' If howe'er Ares or Apollo Phoebus 
4 Begin the fray, or if they stop Achilles, 
4 And suffer not his fighting, then at once 

140 4 On our side also shall begin the strife 

4 Of battle-din : and passing soon methinks 
4 Under our hands they'll mightily be vanquished 
4 Perforce, and come to an end, and hie away 
' To Olympus, unto assembly of all the gods." 
So spake the Blue-haired one, and led the way 
To godlike Heracles' high wall of earth 

145 Heaped up, which Trojans and Athene Pallas 
Erst made him, that he might escape and shun 
The monster of the Sea, when from the shore 
It chased him to the plain. Thither now went 



book T. 555 

And sat Poseidon and the other gods, 

And put about their shoulders a thick cloud, 

150 Impenetrable. And on the other side, 

Sitting on Fair-hill's beetling brows were the others 
Eound Thee, good Phoebus, and the war-god Ares, 
Waster of Towns. Down sitting thus were they, 
Scheming their plans, on either hand : yet loth 
Were both sides to begin the ruthless battle : 

L55 But Zeus, who sat on high, did urge it on. 

Filled with them now was all the plain, and shone 
Bright with the brass of warriors and of horses. 
And the earth did quake again beneath their feet 
As rushed they in shock together : and in midst, 
The two men, far the bravest of each side, 
The lord JEneas Anchisiades, 

160 And prince Achilles, met full fain to fight. 

First came iEneas forth with threat'ning mien, 
Nodding with mighty helmet ; and he held 
His furious buckler 'fore his breast, and shook 
His brazen spear. On t' other side to meet him 
Arose Peleides, like a ravening lion, 

165 When huntsmen, all the country-side, are up, 

And meet full bent on slaughtering him ; — yet he, 

At first indeed unheeding, still comes on ; 

But when with spear some lusty nimble warrior 

Shall haply hit him, straight with open jaws 

He gathers for a spring, and rising slaver 

Foams round his teeth, and his bold heart is troubled 

170 Within his bosom ; and his ribs and flanks 
On either side he lashes with his tail, 
And rouses up himself to fight : and rushes 
Bight onwards glaring fiercely in his rage, 



556 THE ILIAD. XX. 

If haply may he kill a man, or perish 
Himself, in foremost throng; e'en so did rage 
And gallant courage urge Achilles on 

175 'Gainst mighty-souled ^Eneas. When hard by 
Already each at other were they come, 
Then foremost spake the able-footed prince 
Achilles to his foe : " ^Eneas ! Thou ? 
' Why com'st thou thus upon so great a troop, 
1 And haltest here ? What ! can it be with me 
1 Thy heart is urging thee forsooth to fight, 

180 ' In hope of being master of that rank 

1 Which now is Priam's o'er horse-taming Trojans ? 
' Yet shouldst thou haply slay me,— not therefor 
' To thee will Priam hand his royalty ! 
' For sons he has : and steadfast is he in mind, 
1 And of undamaged wits. Is't then the Trojans 
' Have marked thee off some piece of land mayhap, 

185 ' Goodly, distinguished above other lands, 

' For vineyard and for earing, for thy portion, 
' If me thou killest ? Yet I indulge a hope 
' That hardly thou shalt do this. Sure methinks 
' Thee have I scared with spear, yea afore now. 

I Remember'st not, when finding thee alone 

' I chased thee from thy beeves, down Ida's heights, 
190 ' Swiftly away on nimble feet ? Sure then 
' Thou turnedst never once about in flight, 
' But slunk'st away in hurry to Lyrnessos : 
' Yet that, by Athene's help and father Jove's, 

I I attacked and sacked, and took the women captive, 
' Reft of their day of freedom. Thee howe'er, 

' For that time, Zeus and other gods did rescue. 
195 'But not now will they rescue thee, methinks, 



BOOK T. 



557 



1 As in thy heart thou lay'st it : Hie then back 
1 Into thy troop forthwith, I do exhort thee 
1 (Nor stand before my face), or e'er thou suffer 
' Mischief of some sort : for when once 't is done, 
' Any fool knows to his cost." Then answered him 
iEneas thus and said : " Here now, Peleides, 

200 ' Think not to frighten me, by talk at least, 
1 As though I were a child : for sure I also 
1 Can utter cutting taunts and words unseemly. 
1 For of each other we do know the race, 
1 And parentage we know, from having heard 
' Old saws of mortal folk ; but not by sight, 
1 Either dost thou know mine, or do I thine. 

205 i They say thou art the seed of faultless Peleus, 
6 And from the fair-tressed daughter of the Sea, 
* Thetis thy mother. I do boast myself 
1 To be the son of mighty-souled Anchises, 
' And Aphrodite have I for my mother. 
1 Sure now of these one side at least this day 

210 ' Shall have to mourn a son. For not, methinks, 
' By mere child's talk at least, here shall we come 
1 Unto decision, and return from battle. 
' But list, if haply wouldst thou learn these matters, 
1 That of a surety may'st thou know our race 
1 (And know it many folk) : Cloud-gatherer Zeus 

215 ' First begat Dardanus : he was the founder 
1 Of cities in Dardania ; # for as yet 
1 Not was the Town of language-gifted men, 
1 Our sacred Ilion, built upon the plain; 
1 But men as yet inhabited the skirts 



* Hence the name of * Dardanelles ;" anciently called the " Hellespont," or 
Sea of HeUe. 



558 THE ILIAD, XX. 



220 



225 



230 



235 



240 



Of many-fountained Ida. Dardanus 

In turn begat a son, king Erichthonius ; 

Who became then of mortal men the richest ; 

His breeding mares three thousand grazed at marsh, 

Joyous with frisking fillies all at foot. 

Now with them Northern Boreas was enamoured, 

While they were grazing ; so he made him like 

Unto a dark-maned horse, and went with them : 

And they conceived and foaled a dozen fillies : 

And these, whene'er they haply frisked sometime 

On fruitful corn-land, lightly did they run 

On top of bearded ear, and brake none down : 

And when at other whiles they chanced to frolic 

Upon the sea's broad backs, they ran along 

Scudding upon the grey surf's topmost breaker. 

Then Erichthonius gat a son, king Tros, 

King o'er the Trojans : and from Tros did spring 

Three sons all blemishless, — Ilus to wit ; 

Assaracus ; and godlike Ganymed, 

W T ho sure was comeliest of all mortal men ; 

And whom, for sake of his brave comeliness, 

The gods up-snatched, to dwell among the Deathless, 

And be Jove's cupbearer. Then Ilus gat him 

A son, the blemishless Laomedon : 

Laomedon in turn begat Tithonus, 

And Priam also, Clytius too, and Lampos, 

And, a bold scion of Ares, Hicetaon. 

A son Assaracus had also, — Capys ; 

And he begat Anchises : then Anchises, 

He begat me : and Priam gat prince Hector. 

Such forsooth is the race and blood, wherefrom 

I boast to be. But Zeus, — 't is he enlarges 



book T. 559 

1 And minishes men's prowess, at his will ; 
1 For he o'er all is mightiest. Yet now come, 
1 Prate we no longer thus, like silly children, 

245 ' Standing in midst before the edge of battle. 
1 Gibes yea full many both of us can utter ; 
1 And sure no ship of a hundred thwarts might bear 
'The freight thereof. Glib is the tongue of mortals, 
1 Whereon is many a tale of every sort : 
' And wide the range, this way and that for words. 

250 ' As mayst thou speak, so speak will folk to thee. 
1 But wherefore in each other's face must We 
6 Cast gibes and taunts ; like women when in wrath 
1 For heart-consuming quarrel's sake they come 
1 Into mid street, and scold at one another, 
1 With many a word of truth, as well as not : 

255 i For wrath does urge e'en so. But not by talk 
1 Me shalt thou turn from eagerness of prowess, 
' Until with brass we 've battled face to face. 
1 Then come, a taste of one another's might 
1 Soon will we have with brazen-pointed spears." 
He spake ; and straightway drave his brazen lance 

260 Against the foe's dire-gleaming mighty shield : 

And loud the great shield jarred at the spear's point. 
In fear, Peleides with his brawny arm 
Held out the buckler from him, for he thought 
That mighty-souled ^Eneas' long-helved spear 
With ease must come at him : the simpleton ! 

265 For he perceived not in his heart and soul 
That not with ease, by mortal men at least, 
Are the gods' glorious gifts to be o'ermastered ; 
Nor will they yield. Nor did the weighty spear, 
Of doughty iEneas now break through the shield : 



560 THE ILIAD. XX. 

For the gold plate, gift of the god, restrained it. 

270 Two plates it pierced : but other three were yet : 
For five plates had the Halt-foot beaten out, 
Two brazen, and within them two of tin, 
And one of gold ; by which the brazen lance 
Was checked in midst. And now Achilles launched 
His long-helved spear and smote the good round buckler 
Of lord JEneas, at the foremost rim, 

275 Where thinnest ran the brass ; and thinnest also 

Was there the bull's-hide : and right through and through 

Darted that Pelian ash ; and 'neath its force 

The buckler rang : whereat iEneas crouched, 

Gath'ring himself, and in affright held up 

The buckler at arm's length, while o'er his back 

On sped the spear, and stopped upon the ground, 

280 Cleaving in twain both circles of the shield 

That covered the whole man : yet thus escaping 
The lengthy shaft, there stood he still, affrighted 
(And measureless distress o'erwhelmed his eyes), 
For that the lance was planted fast so near him : 
Anon Achilles drew his keen-edged sword, 
And in hot haste rushed on with terrible shout : 

285 But in his hand iEneas took a stone, 
A heavy matter, such as not two men, 
As folk are now-a-days, might think to carry ; 
Yet all alone he wielded it with ease. 
Then had JEneas hit the on-rushing foe 
With stone, either on helm or shield, which sure 
Had warded off sad death from him ; and sure 

290 Then had Peleides, sword in hand come nigh 
And reft him of his life, had not Poseidon, 
Who Shakes the Earth, with sharp sight noticed- them ; 



BOOK X. 561 

(When straight he thus addressed the Deathless gods: 
u strange I indeed for mighty-souled ^Eneas 
1 Distressed am I, because to Hades' realm 
1 Soon shall he go, bowed down beneath Peleides ; 
295 ' And all through giving heed, the simpleton, 
' To counsel of Apollo, the Far-shooting 1 
1 For never a whit will he from him ward off 
1 Sad death. Yet why does now this guiltless man 
1 Suffer distress, grieved recklessly, for sake 
4 Of others' faults ? for ever gifts well-pleasing 
' He gives the gods, who occupy broad heaven. 
300 ' Then come ye now, let Us convey him safe 
1 Away from Death, lest also Chronides 

* Be haply wroth, should he be slain by Achilles : 

* For 'tis by Fate allotted him to escape, 

' That so not utterly should perish, seedless 

1 And blotted out, the race of Dardanus,. 

1 Whom Chronides most loved of all the children 

305 ' Begotten of himself and mortal women. 
' For Priam's race Chronion hates already : 
1 And now forsooth his mightiness iEneas, 
' And children's children that may follow him, 
' Shall have, ere long, the sovereign sway o'er Trojans." 
Then answered him the large-eyed lady Here : 

310 " Shaker of Earth ! — thyself in thine own heart 
' Note thou ^Eneas, whether wilt thou rescue, 
1 Or whether suffer him, good as he is, 
' To be bowed down by Peleus' son Achilles. 
' But before all the Deathless many an oath 
' Sworn have we twain, I and Athene Pallas, 

315 ' That never will we ward the day of evil 

' From Trojans, not e'en when with furious fire 

36 



3&H THE ILIAD. XX. 

' All Troy shall be a-blazing, set on fire 

t By Argives' warrior sons." Now when Poseidon 

Shaker of Earth heard this, he went his way 

Straight through the fight and through the clash of spears, 

320 And came where stood iEneas, and the prince 
Renown'd Achilles ; o'er the eyes of whom, 
E'en Peleus' son Achilles, in a moment 
He shed a misty darkness : and he plucked 
The ashen brass-tipped shaft from out the shield 
Of mighty-souled JEneas : down he laid it 
Before Achilles' feet ; then lifted up 

325 And hurried off ^Eneas from the ground : 

Forth from the god's hand then iEneas darted, 
And sprang away o'er many a line of warriors, 
And many of horses also, till he came 
To the impetuous battle's outmost skirt, 
Just where the Caueon troops were putting on 
Their harness for the fight. Right near to him 

330 Then came Poseidon Shaker of the Earth, 
And thus accosted him in winged words : 
" Who of the gods, iEneas, bids thee thus 
1 To fight, fool-hardy in combat with Achilles, 
' Who is at once thy better, and more dear 
' Unto the deathless gods ? Withdraw then quickly 

335 ' Whene'er thou happenest in the way with him, 
' Lest, yea beyond thy destiny, thou go 
' Down to the courts of Hades. When howe'er 
' Achilles shall have met his mortal doom, 
1 Then take thou heart, and fight among the foremost : 
1 For slaughter thee shall no one else of the Argives." 

340 So saying, when all he had clearly pointed out, 
There on the spot he left him. Then away 



book T. 663 

He scattered suddenly the marvellous inist 

From prince Achilles' eyes : and he thereat 

With all his eyes looked out; and big with wrath 

Thus to his own high-hearted soul he spake : 

11 Strange! sure here before mine eyes I see 

1 A mighty marvel : here forsooth is lying 

4 My spear upon the ground, but never a whit 

' See I the man at whom I launched it forth, 

' So fain to slay him. Dear then of a surety 

1 To Deathless gods was also lord iEneas : 

4 1 thought nathless he w r as but idly boasting. 

4 Away with him ! He'll have no mind again 

4 To try his luck with me, when e'en but now 

4 Glad was he here to have 'scaped from death. Yet come, 

4 1 '11 cheer my warrior Danaans on, and go 

4 And try my luck with other Trojans yonder." 

He spake, and sprang among the lines, and thus 

'Gan cheering every man : " Noble Achaians ! 

4 Stand ye aloof no longer now from Trojans, 

' But on ! and fain to fight, go man at man ! 

4 For me 'tis hard, how strong soe'er I be, 

4 To chase so many folk, and fight with all. 

' Sure neither Ares, deathless god although, 

4 Nor yet Athene, might e'er chase the front 

4 Of such a vast wide battle, and toil in fight. 

4 Yet slack, methinks, I shall not be a whit, 

4 Hand, foot, and strength, to the utmost I am able : 

' But through and through their lines I'll make my way ; 

4 And glad shall never a Trojan be, methinks, 

4 Who comes within my lance's reach." He spake, 

Urging them on. Meanwhile, bright Hector also 

Was cheering on, and shouting to his Trojans, 



564 THE ILIAD. XX. 

365 And said how lie would go and face Achilles r 
" Ye high-souled Trojans, fear ye not Peleidete. 
' Sure strive could also /in wordy combat, 
1 Yea with the Deathless, but with the spear 't were hard,. 
' For far are they our betters. Not howe'er 
' Fulfilment shall Achilles bring about 
' On all his words ; one shall he bring to pass, 

370 * And leave another in the midst cut short. 

* But I '11 go face him, e'en though in his hands 
1 Like fire he be, — I say, though in his hands 
' Like fire he be, and ruddy iron in strength/' 
So spake he cheering on : whereat the Trojans 
Raised spears against the foe : anon pell-mell 
All mingled was their battle-rage together, 

375 And war-shout loud arose. Near unto Hector 
Now came Apollo Phoebus, and spake thus : 
" Hector ! As champion fight not now at all 
' Against Achilles ; only bide his onset 
1 In throng and midst the medley battle-din, 
' Lest hand to hand he smite thee with the sword, 
' Or hit with off-hand aim." He spake : and back 

380 Into his warriors' troop again plunged Hector, 
Awe-struck, at hearing such a word as this 
Of a god speaking. But with terrible shout 
On sprang Achilles, clad with strength at heart, 
Against the Trojans ; and he slaughtered first 
Otrynteus' son, captain of many troops, 
Stalwort Iphition, whom a water-nymph 

385 In Hyda's fertile land, 'neath snowy Tmolus, 
Bare to the City-wasting chief Otrynteus : 
Him now as on he came straight face to face 
Achilles with his lance hit in mid pate, 



book T. 565 

Which all in twain was cleft, and down he pitched, 
A heavy thump : whereat the prince Achilles 
Thus gloried o'er him : " Son of lord Otrynteus, 

390 ' terriblest of all men, here thou rt laid, 

' Here is thy death-bed ; but thy birth-place yonder, 
' By the Gygaian lake, hard by the streams 
' Of eddying Hermos, and the fishy Hyllos, 
1 Where lies thy father's lordly share of land." 
So spake he glorying : but the gloom of death 
Covered Iphition's eyes : and Argives' ohariots 

4395 Soon with their wheel-tires cut his corse asunder 
In the front line of battle. After him, 
Antenor's son he stabbed, Demoleon, 
Bold stemmer of the combat, in his temple 
Right through his helm furnished with cheeks of brass ; 
The brazen helmet hindered not howe'er, 
But the point sped therethrough and brake the bone ; 

400 And mashed within was all the brain ; and him 
In hot career he slew. Then with Ms lance 
He smote Hippodamas behind his midriff, 
As hied he from his car to flee before him. 
Then 'gan he gasping for his life, and lowing, 
As lows a bull, when dragged for sacrifice, 
Youths dragging him, in honour of Poseidon 

405 The Heliconian king ; and thereby gladdened 

Is He Who Shakes the Earth ; so here moaned he, 
Until his gallant soul forsook his bones. 
Anon with spear Peleides went to attack 
The godlike Polydorus, Priam's son : 
Ne'er did his father give him leave to fight, 
For that he was his youngest-born of all, 

410 And was his best-beloved, and»surpassed all 



666 THE ILIAD. XX. 

In speed a-foot. Just now in childish folly, 
To show the prowess of his feet, he rushed 
Through the front fighters, till he lost his life. 
With lance, as rushed he past, in his mid back 
The able-footed prince Achilles hit him, 
Just where the golden belt-clasps hooked together, 

415 And where the corslet met and thus was doubled : 
Yet right throughout the spear's point held its way 
Beside his navel ; and upon his knee 
Groaning he fell ; and the dark cloud of death 
Enwrapped him, as he bowed aside and gathered 
His gushing entrails in his hands. Now Hector, 
Soon as he saw his brother Polydorus 

420 Bowed to the earth, holding in hand his entrails, 
A gloomy mist indeed o'erwhelmed his eyes, 
Nor longer could he endure to bide aloof; 
But brandishing his pointed spear he went, 
Like to a flame of fire, to face Achilles : 
Then Oh, how prince Achilles sprang again 
At sight of him, and glorying spake this word : 

425 "To hand now comes the man, who has touched my 
heart 
' Most deeply, he who killed my honoured friend ; 
' skulk we then no longer from each other 
1 Along the gangways of the fight." He spake ; 
Then with grim look askant he addressed prince Hector : 
" Draw nearer ! that thou speedily mayst reach 
1 Thy goal of death ! " Whereat, nowise dismayed, 

430 To him spake Hector of the glancing helm : 
" Peleides, think not now to frighten me, 
i With words at least, as though I were a child : 
'For cutting taunts as well as words unseemly 



book T. 567 

1 1 too can easily utter : and I know 

1 How bold art thou, and / am far thy worser. 

435 ' Yet in the gods' power rest forsooth these matters ; 
1 Whether, although thy worser, I shall hit 
1 Thee with my spear and take away thy life ; 
1 For sharp is also this my lance before me." 
He spake : and poised, drew back and launched his 

spear ; 
But from renowned Achilles with a breath 
Athene turned it back, breathing full softly : 

440 And to prince Hector back it went again 
And fell before his feet : anon Achilles 
In eager haste rushed on, with terrible shout, 
Bent upon slaying his foe : but him to safety 
Apollo snatched aw 7 ay with passing ease, 
As being a god, and hid him in thick mist. 
Thrice then the able-footed prince Achilles 

445 Rushed on indeed with brazen spear, and thrice 

He smote the deep thick mist : but when, imp like, 
On did he dart the fourth time, loud he called 
With terrible threat and spake these winged words : 
" Death hast thou 'scaped here now again, thou dog ! 
■ Sure nigh at hand was mischief come to thee, 
' But saved thee again has now Apollo Phoebus, 

450 l To whom, belike, thou payest vows, on coming 
1 Into the whiz of darts. In very truth 
1 I '11 put an end to thee, whene'er I hap 
' Yea by and by to meet thee, if perchance 
' Also by me does any god stand helper : 
' But now I '11 go 'gainst others of the Trojans, 
' Whome'er I hap to light upon." So saying, 

455 With dart he wounded Dryops in mid neck : 



568 THE ILIAD. XX. 

And down before his feet he fell ; but there 

Achilles let him be, and with his lance 

Hit in the knee and checked thereby Demouchos 

Bold Philetoride&, both tall and comely : 

Him then he smote with mighty sword, and took 

His life away. Anon Laogonos 

460 And Dardanus he attacked, two sons of Bias ; 
And hitting one with spear, and smiting t' other 
With sword close hand to hand, he thrust them both 
From out their chariot to the ground. Then Tros, 
Alastor's son ; he came forsooth before him, 
And clasped his knees ; if pity would he have 
Upon same age, and would not slay, but kindly 

465 Spare him, and let him go again alive : 

The simpleton ! nor knew he this forsooth, 

How that not likely was he to be moved. 

For no-wise was he a man of gentle mood, 

Neither sweet-minded, but full hasty-hot. 

Thus fain to entreat, hugged he with suppliant hands 

Achilles' knees : but with the sword smote He 

470 The suppliant in the liver : and forthwith 

Out slid the liver ; the black blood wherefrom 

Filled all his lap, as reft he was of life, 

And darkness veiled his eyes : then went the chief 

And with his lance hit Moulios in his ear ; 

And straightway through the other ear came forth 

The brazen point : then smote he in mid pate 

475 With hilted sword Agenor's son Echeclos : 

And the whole sword grew suddenly hot with blood : 
But purple Death and mighty Fate gat hold 
On Him and closed his eyes. And then Deucalion ; 
Just where the sinews of the elbow-joint 



book T. 569 

Hold it together, there right through his arm 
The brazen spear-point ran : disabled thus 

480 In hand, and seeing Death before his eyes, 

Yet steadfast did he bide him ; till with sword 
Achilles smote his neck and flung afar 
His head with helm and all ; whereat forth spurted 
The marrow from his back-bone ; and out-stretched 
Upon the ground lay he. Then hied Achilles 
His onward way 'gainst Peireus' faultless son 

485 Ehigmos, who had come from cloddy glebe of Thrace. 
Him in his midst with dart he hit ; and fixed 
The brass was in his paunch : and down he fell 
From out his chariot. Then with pointed lance 
He stabbed the charioteer Areithoos, 
Turning his horses round ; stabbed his mid back, 
And thrust him from his car ; whereat his horses 

490 Were huddled in disorder. And as rages 

Along deep vallies of some parched mountain 
Strange furious fire, and the deep forest burns, 
And the wind drives and rolls the flame along 
On all sides in confusion ; so did He 
With sword in hand rush furious on, imp like, 
On every side, pursuing still and slaughtering ; 

495 And the dark earth did stream again with blood. 

As when one yokes broad-fronted steers for threshing 
Bright barley on the rounded threshing-floor, 
And 'neath the feet of the loud-bellowing beeves 
Swiftly the ears are stripped ; so neath his bidding, 
High-souled Achilles' firm-hoofed horses trampled 
At once both shields and corses under-foot; 

500 And blood-stained underneath was all his axle ; 
Also the rails about his chariot-board ; 



570 THE ILIAD. XX. 

Whereon from off the horse-hoofs clots did splash, 
And from the wheel-tires : for the son of Peleus,- 
Full bent was He renown in war to gain, 
And drenched his matchless hands in gory stain. 



BOOK $. 571 



ARGUMENT OF THE TWENTY-FIRST BOOK. $. 

Achilles divides the Trojan host and drives them, some over the plain 
towards the Town, and some with great slaughter to the river Sca- 
mander ; he captures twelve noble youths, whom he reserves for 
slaughter in revenge for his friend Patroclus. He slays Lycaon, one 
of Priam's sons, and Asteropaios. The river overflows and puts Achilles 
into danger. Hephaistos rescues him, by setting fire to the river -banks 
and trees and herbage, and almost dries up the stream. The gods join in 
battle on either side. Apollo, in the guise of Agenor, checks and decoys 
Achilles aloof, while the Trojans flee and escape into the Town. 

PHI sings Achilles battling in the river. 



But when they had reached the fair-flowing river's ford 
Of eddying Xanthus, sprung from deathless Jove, 
In twain Achilles cut the foemen's host, 
And o'er the plain some towards Town he chased, 
The way whereby the Achaians in disorder 
5 Had fled the day before, when glorious Hector 

Did rage : here now in flight on streamed the Trojans : 
Anon to check them Here spread in front 
A thick deep mist ; and half the troops were forced 
Into the deep-flowing, silver-eddying river : 
And in they tumbled with a mighty splash ; 
And downstream sheer the waters roared, whereat 
10 The banks on both sides mightily re-echoed : 
And swimming here and there with cries of woe 
Were they, whirled round and round amid the eddies. 



572 THE ILIAD. XXI. 

And as when locusts, driven by force of fire, 
Hover on high, for flight towards the river, 
But suddenly the unwearied fire shoots up 
And scorches them, and down along the water 

15 They plunge affrighted; so before Achilles 

Filled was deep-eddying Xanthus' brawling stream 
Pell-mell with men and chariots. But the prince, 
He leaned his lance against the tamarisk-bushes, 
And left it there upon the bank ; and in, 
Imp like, he sprang with sword alone in hand, 
i\.nd deeds of mischief did he plan in heart ; 

2G And did about him smite ; and groans unseemly 
Uprose of foenien slaughtered by his hanger ; 
Whereat became the water red with blood. 
And as through fright before a bulky dolphin 
Away flee other fishes, and in shoals 
Fill the inmost nooks of the safe-harboring creek ; 
For sure he swallows any one he catches ; 

25 So crouched the Trojans under the steep banks 
Along the waters of the mighty river : 
But He, when weary in arm he was of slaying, 
Chose him twelve youths alive from out the river, 
On whom to wreak his vengeance for the blood 
Of his dear Menoitiades Patroclus. 
Out from the river led he them amazed, 

30 As were they fawns, and bound their hands behind them 
With well-cut straps, which they themselves did wear 
On twisted hauberks ; and to his comrades gave them 
To lead off captive to the hollow ships. 
But on again rushed he, full fain for slaughter. 
A son of Priam Dardanides, Lycaon, 
Fleeing from out the river, now he met : 



book #. 573 

Him indeed captive once before he had made 
When forth by night he had gone, and taken him 
Despite his will from out his father's orchard, 
As cutting was he there with edge of knife 
A wilding fig-tree, sapling shoots thereof, 
For chariot-rails : thus had the prince Achilles 
(A mischief all unlooked for) then surprised him : 
Him then he shipped and sold beyond the sea 
At fair-built Lemnos ; where the son of Jason 
Gave payment for him : but from thence a friend,. 
Imbrius Eetion, ransomed him, and gave 
Large price, and sped him to divine Arisbe : 
Thence he escaped and reached his father's house. 
From Lemnos thus he came, and cheered his heart 

45 Eejoicing with his friends eleven days : 

But on the twelfth some god again now threw him 
Into Achilles' hands, w 7 ho sure will send him 
Down unto Hades, loth howe'er to go. 
Now when the able-footed prince Achilles 
Noted him here unarmed, with neither shield 

50 Nor helm, nor had he a spear ; for on the ground 
He had thrown them all away : for toil and sweat 
Distressed him in escaping from the river 
And overpowered his knees : then spake Peleides 
Unto his own bold heart, in wrathful spirit : 
" strange ! sure here before mine eyes I see 
1 A mighty marvel ! sure then verily 

55 ' The mighty-hearted Trojans, whom I slew, 

1 Shall up again from gloom of nether darkness ! 
' As now this fellow here, though shipped o'er sea 
1 And sold at sacred Lemnos, has escaped 
1 The ruthless day, and here he 's back again ! 



574 THE ILIAD. XXI. 

1 Nor have the waters of the surfy sea, 

1 Which stay full many a one despite his will, 

GO l Kept hiin away. But come, he now shall have 
1 A taste, aye, of the point of this our spear ; 
1 So shall I soon in wits behold and learn, 
' Whether in like sort will he come e'en thence, 
1 Or whether the life-giving- Earth, which holds 
' Yea e'en a strong one down, shall fast hold Him." 
Thus tarried he and pondered : now Lycaon, 

65 Amazed, and fain to clasp his knees, drew near him ; 
For he desired with all his heart to escape 
Dark Fate and evil Death. Now prince Achilles, 
Eager to smite, upraised his lengthy spear ; 
Whereat the other stooped and ran beneath it, 
And hugged his knees : so past the suppliant's back 
Aground was fixed the spear, fain to be glutted 

70 With flesh of man. Began he now entreating, 
Hugging the chieftain's knees with one arm close, 
While holding was he in the other hand 
The pointed spear, and would not let it go : 
And winged words he spake beseeching him : 
" I clasp thy knees, Achilles ; and thou, 
i Unto me Have regard; and Pity me ! 

75 ' I 'm as thy suppliant, unto whom, prince, 
8 Eegard is due. For at thy hand I've eaten 
1 The bread of mother Earth, erewhile, that day, 
i When me thou caughtest in the fair-tilled orchard, 
i And took'st me far away from friends and father, 
1 And sentest me for sale to sacred Lemnos ; 
' And price I fetched thee of a hundred beeves : 

80 ' Yet ransomed was I now at thrice as much : 
' And my twelfth morn is this, since I returned, 



BOOK *. 



075 



Through many a trouble, back to Ilion : 
But now again my evil Doom has put me 
Into thy hands : I must methinks be hateful 
To father Zeus, who thus has given me up 
Again to thee. Ah then, to be short-lifed 
Sure did Laothoe my mother bear me; 
Daughter of old lord Altes, that same Altes, 
Who rules the warfare-loving Lelegans, 
And has his dwelling at high Pedasos 
Beside the banks of Satnis. For to wife 
King Priam had his daughter, and had wives 
Yet many others : two of us were born 
Of Her, and Thou wilt lop the heads of both. 
One forsooth hast thou slain, when with sharp lance 
Thou smotest him, the godlike Polydorus, 
Among the foremost heavy-armed foot : and now 
On me will sure be mischief; for thy hands 
I think not to escape, since into them 
Unlucky Chance has brought me. Yet 1 '11 say 
This else to thee, and cast it thou in heart : 
Do not slay me, since not from the same womb 
Am I as Hector is, who killed thy friend 
At once both kind and brave." So spake to him 
Priam's bright son, in words of sore entreaty ; 
Yet heard he a voice relentless : " Fool, Prate not ? 
1 Nor talk to me of ransom for thy life. 
1 Before indeed Patroclus met his day 
' Of mortal Doom, 'twas to my soul more pleasant 
* Somewhat to spare the Trojans' lives ; and many 
e Alive I took and sold o'er sea : but now 
' Of all the Trojans, and sure specially 
1 Of Priam's children, is there never a one 



576 THE ILIAD. XXI. 

* Shall 'scape from Death, whome'er his Chance at least 

105 ' Into my hands may cast, here before Ilion. 

1 Then Die, my dear, Thou also : wherefore puling 
1 In such sort art thou ? dead is even Patroclus, 
1 Sure better far than thou. Dost thou not see, 
i What manner of one am I too ? comely, and tall ; 
1 And of a noble father ; and the mother 
1 That bare me is a goddess : yet shall Death 

110 'And violent Doom sure happen even to me; 
' It may be morn, or noon, or eventide, 
1 When one shall take, yea> my life too in battle ; 
' He hitting or with spear, or shaft from string."* 
He spake : and straight the suppliant's very heart 
And knees were all unnerved upon the spot. 

115 The spear then let he go, and sat him down, 
Outspreading both his arms : whereat Achilles 
Drew his keen sword, and at the collar-bone 
Smote him beside his neck : and into him 
The double-edged sword all plunged : and headlong down 
Outstretched upon the ground he lay ; and forth 
The cloudy blood did stream and drenched the ground. 

120 Anon Achilles took him by the foot, 

And to the river sent him flying ; and o'er him 

Thus gloried he and spake these winged words : 

" Come, and 'mongst fishes now lie down ; and they 

' From off thy wound will lick the blood away, 

' Without or care or sorrow : for on a bier 

' Not shall thy mother lay thee forth and mourn thee : 

125 ' But bear thee shall Scamander's eddying stream 
' Into the sea's broad bosom. In the wave 
' Shall many a fish dart 'neath the darkling ripple, 

* That is, none might master him in close-handed fight. 



book $. 577 

1 Springing, to eat Lycaon's rare white fat. 
' You ! may ye perish as ye flee before me, 
1 And I at your back be slaying ye, till we win 
1 The Town of sacred Ilion ! Nor aid you 

130 ' Shall e'en your fair-flowing silver-eddying river, 
1 To whom ye sacrifice full many a bull 
1 Now, as erewhile, and sink your firm-hoofed horses 
1 Alive into his eddies. But nathless, 
1 An ill death shall ye die, until ye Ve all ' 
' Paid for Patroclus' blood, and for the death 
1 Of Danaans whom ye slaughtered, in my absence, 

135 ' Beside our pointed ships/' He spake : whereat 
Wroth was the River-god at very heart 
Yet more and more ; and pondered in his mind 
How to stop prince Achilles from the battle, 
And how to ward off ruin from the Trojans. 
Meanwhile howe'er Peleides, bent on slaughter, 

140 With long-helved lance, rushed on Asteropaios, 
The son of Pelegon; whom Periboia, 
Eldest of Acessamenos' fair daughters, 
Bare to the god of Axios' broad-flowing stream : 
For wedlocked w T as the River-god with Her. 
On him now rushed Achilles ; against w T hom 
Stood he from out the river face to face, 

145 "Wielding two spears : for Xanthus put fierce rage 
Into his heart, through anger for the slaughter 
Of youths in fight, whom slaughtered had Achilles 
Amid the flowing tide, and had no pity. 
Now when to attack each other were they near, 
First spake the able-footed prince Achilles : 

150 " Of men wdience art thou, and who? that thus hast ven- 
tured 

37 



578 THE ILIAD. XXI. 

I Here to face me : sons of unhappy fathers 

' Are they who chance against my battle rage." 
Then Pelegon's bright son thus answered him : 
" High-souled Peleides, why dost ask my raee ? 

I I 'm from Paionia's far off loamy land, 

' And am the leader of Paionian warriors 

155 ' Wielding long spears : and my eleventh morn 
* Is this now, since I came to Ilion r 
1 From the broad-streaming Axios is my race, 
1 Axios, who pours the fairest water on earth ; 
1 The sire was He of spear-famed Pelegon : 
1 And He, they say, is father unto me : 

160 ' So now then, bright Achilles, come, let r s fight." 
So spake he threat'ning : and the prince Achilles, 
He forthwith held aloft his Pelian ash : 
But lord Asteropaios with his lanees> 
From either hand at once did He let fly, 
For dextrous was he alike with either hand : 
And with one lance he hit his foeman's buckler : 

165 Yet burst not through that buckler r for the gold ? 
Gift from the god, withstood ; but with tHe other 
Grazing he hit the fore-arm of Achilles, 
Of his right hand ; and the dark blood spun out ; 
And past him in the earth the spear stuck fast, 
Fain for its glut of flesh. Now next, Achilles 
Longing for slaughter launched hi& straight-flying asfe 

170 Against Asteropaios : him he missed; 

And hit the high-raised river-bank ; and stuck 
The ashen spear to its middle in the bank. 
Anon Peleides plucked his keen-edged hanger 
Forth from beside his thigh, and sprang all hot 
Upon his foe ; who, though with sturdy hand, 



BOOK $. 



579 



Yet could not pluck Achilles' ashen spear 

175 From the steep bank : eager to pluck it out, 

Three times he made it quiver : and three times 

Perforce he slacked his hand : at fourth attempt 

Thinking at heart was he to bend and break 

The ashen shaft of lord iEacides : 

But afore that, Achilles with his hanger 

Drew near and took away his life : he smote him, 

L80 His belly by the navel ; and thereout 

Upon the ground gushed all his guts ; and darkness 
Whelmed o'er his eyes, as gasped he hard for breath. 
Then rushed Achilles on his breast, and stripped 
His harness off, and glorying spake this word : 
44 Lie so ! though sprung from River-god, 'tis hard 
4 For thee to vie in battle with the sons 

L85 ' Of mighty Chronides. Thou saidst forsooth 
4 Thou wast the offspring of a River-god 
4 Streaming abroad : but / boast me to be 
4 Offspring of mighty Zeus : a man indeed 
4 My father is, Peleus iEacides, 
1 Who rules o'er many Myrmidons : and being 
4 Had iEacus from Zeus. Then stronger sure 

L90 ' Is Jove than sea-ward murmuring River-gods ; 
4 And stronger also is the stock of Jove, 
'Than that of River-god. Ah, now at thy side 
4 Is here a mighty River, if he 's able 
' To avail thee aught : but against Zeus Chronion 
4 No fighting is there : not with Him forsooth 
4 Does noble Acheloiis think to vie, 

L95 4 Nor does the mighty strength of deep-flowing Ocean, 
' From out of whom indeed flows every River, 
4 And all the Sea, all Springs too, and deep Wells : 



580 THE ILIAD. XXI. 

' Yet fears even He* the bolt of mighty Zeus, 

1 And his dread thunder, when from heaven he crashes/ 

He spake : and from the steep bank plucked him forth 

200 His brazen spear. And there he left behind, 

Lying in sand, the man whose life he had taken : 
And the dark water dabbled him : whereat 
Busy about him soon were eels and fishes, 
Nibbling and feeding on his kidney-fat. 
Meanwhile Achilles hied him in pursuit 

205 Of the Paionian horsetail-crested warriors, 
Who now had fled along the eddying river, 
At seeing their noble chief mightily vanquished 
In sturdy battle neath Peleides' hands. 
Then slaughtered he Thersilochus, and iEnios ; 
And Mnesos, and Astypylos, and Thrasios; 

210 Mydon, and Ophelestes : and sure more 
Paionians yet had swift Achilles killed, 
Had not the angry Kiver-god deep-eddying, 
In likeness of a man, accosted him, 
And cried aloud from out his whirl-pool deep : 
" Sure, O Achilles, art thou passing mighty, 
1 And doest deeds unseemly, passing heinous, 

215 ' Above mankind : for thee the gods themselves 
' Do always help. If Chronides has giv'n thee 
' To slaughter all the Trojans, — drive them forth 
' Upon the plain away from me at least : 
' Then do the mischief : for with carcases 
' Here are my lovely streams already filled ; 
' Nor can I any way, thus choked with corses, 

220 ' Pour forth my tide towards the vasty Sea. 

' And slaughtering all art Thou here recklessly. 
* That is, the Ocean. 



BOOK $. 581 

1 But come, yea let be now ; amazement holds me, 
1 marshaller of hosts." Then answered him 
And spake foot-swift Achilles : " So 't shall be, 
'Jove-loved Scamander, e'en as Thou dost bid : 
1 But the proud Trojans I'll not cease to slay, 

225 ' Till to their Town I 've forced them back, and tried 
1 My chance with Hector face to face in battle, 
1 Whether shall He kill Me, or I kill Him." 
So saying, imp like, he rushed upon the Trojans. 
Then the deep-eddying River-god forthwith 
Accosted thus Apollo : " Son of Zeus ! 
1 Thou of the silver bow, Shame ! not kept 

230 ' Hast Thou at least the 'bests of Chronides, 

1 Who laid full many a charge on thee to stand 
1 The Trojans' friend and help them, till down late 
1 Comes eventide, and shades the loamy earth." 
He spake : but now the spear-renowned Achilles 
From off the steep bank sprang, and leapt in midst : 
Whereat the stream-god raged with swollen tide, 

235 And on him fell amain : and all his waters 
In trouble stirred he up ; and crowded on 
Full many a corse, which were in heaps about him, 
Slain by Achilles : these then forth ashore 
He cast, loud roaring like a bull ; but hid 
And saved the living in his great deep eddies, 
Along his comely waters. And the wave 

240 In frightful stir rose up around Achilles, 

And sore upon his shield the stream did fall 
And thrust him, neither could he get firm footing : 
But with his hands he seized a tall elm -tree, 
Well-grown ; and forthwith down it fell uprooted, 
And tore the steep bank all away, and checked 



582 THE ILIAD. XXI. 

The beauteous waters with its frequent branches ; 

245 For in fell all, and bridged the stream athwart. 

Then straight from out the pool upsprang the chief, 
Dismayed, and rushed with tearing feet, to fly 
Athwart the plain : the mighty god howe'er 
Did not yet cease, but growing black a-top 
Against him rose, to stay the prince Achilles 

250 From fight,, and ward off ruin from the Trojans. 
Away, as far then as a lance's cast, 
Peleides rushed, with swoop of a dark eagle, 
That bird of prey, which is at once the strongest 
And swiftest of all winged fowls. Such like 
He darted forth : and terrible to hear 
The brass did ring again upon his breast : 

255 Then swerved he aside and fled before the god ; 
But he behind with mighty roar came streaming 
On in pursuit. As when a man, well-skilled 
In channel-making, leads a rill of water 
From darkling spring about his plants and gardens, 
And with his pick in hand casts out the stops 
From forth the conduit ; and, as on it flows, 

260 Small pebbles all are swept along below, 
And swift the water trickles babbling down 
Some sudden-sloping place, and soon outstrips 
Yea even its leader ; so the River's wave 
Did now unceasingly o'ertake Achilles, 
Though spry he was ; for gods are aye men's betters. 
And oft as the able-footed prince Achilles 

265 Attempted face to face to stand his ground, 
And to know whether all the deathless gods, 
Who occupy broad heaven, were trying to scare him, 
So oft the rain-fed River's mighty wave 



book $. 583 

Came splashing over down upon his shoulders : 
Then he with all his legs did spring aloft, 
Distressed at heart ; whereat the furious River 

270 Streamed out aside, and ripped away the sand 

From 'neath his feet, and overpowered his knees : 

Then eyeing the vasty heaven thus wailed Peleides : 

" Zeus father ! that of the gods not one 

1 Does undertake to rescue piteous me 

1 From out the River ! — then, yea willingly, 

1 Anything would I suffer ! But none other 

275 ( Among the heavenly gods is blameable 

# Concerning me so much as my dear mother, 

1 Who cozened me with lies : for she did tell me 
'That 'fore the wall of corslet- harnessed Trojans 
i By Apollo's hasty bolts I sure should perish. 
1 now that Hector, best of all bred here, 
1 Had slain me ! then a brave one sure he had slaughtered, 
280 * And sure a brave one had the spoiler been ! 
1 But now 't was destined me by a sorry death 
1 To be overcome, hemmed in by a mighty River, 
1 Like some boy swineherd, whom a mountain-torrent 

* In rainy season sweeps away in crossing." 
He spake : whereat Poseidon and Athene, 

In fashion like two men, right soon drew near 
285 And stood beside him : then his hand in hand 

They took and plighted him their troth ; and thus 
Began the Shaker of the Earth, Poseidon : 
" Peleides, neither dread thou aught o'ermuch, 
' Nor be dismayed a whit, no, for such helpers, 
' With Jove's approval, unto thee are we, 
290 ' Twain of the gods, I and Athene Pallas, 
' That never destined is 't for thee indeed 



584 THE ILIAD. XXI. 

' To be overcome by a River-god at least ! 
' But here shall this one soon have done ; and see it 
6 Shalt thou thyself. And well well counsel thee, 
1 If haply wouldst thou heed,— Stay not thy hands 
' From commonable battle, till thou hast forced 

295 i The Trojan host, whoe'er may so escape, 

' Back unto Dion's far-famed wall : and thou, 
' On having taken Hector's life, hie thou 
1 Back to the ships again : for unto thee 
* We give to win the glory." Saying thus, 
Back to the Deathless ones the twain departed : 
And on went He (for forthwith mightily 

300 The gods' behest did stir him) to the plain : 
Now this with out-poured water was all filled ; 
And goodly arms of many a warrior-youth, 
Slaughtered in fight, and many a corse there floated : 
Then upwards high did spring his knees, as on, 
'Spite of the stream, he rushed straight up ; and Him 
The broad-flowing River checked not : for within him 

305 Athene put great strength : nor did Scamander 
Lay down that force of his, but 'gainst Peleides 
Waxed wroth yet more and more, and rising up 
He reared aloft his water's crested wave ; 
And shouted out and called # to Simois : 
" Dear brother! Let us check, aye both of us, 
'This warrior's force, for else he'll soon clean sack 

310 ' King Priam's mighty City ; for the Trojans 
6 Will not stand fast in battle. But all speed, 
' Come Help ! and fill thy streams quite full of water, 
6 Yea from their springs, and stir up all thy torrents, 
' And rear a great swoln billow, and urge on 

* For singular similarity of poetic idea and expression, see Psalm xlii., 9. 



book $. 585 

1 A hurly-burly of logs and stones, and so 
6 We 11 put a stop to this fierce man, who now 
315 ' Is holding sway, and strength does He put forth 

I All equal to the gods. Ah yet I think 

' Not shall his might, nor shall his comely form, 
i Avail him aught, nor shall that goodly harness, 
' Which 'neath our mud shall sure, I ween, be hid 
i And lie at lowest bottom of our pool. 
' And o'er himself I '11 pour a gravel-heap 
320 ' Measureless, and will wrap him up in sand ; 
' And how to gather up his bones again 
6 The Achaians shall not know ; such depth of slime 

I I '11 put all o'er him. There forsooth shall be 

8 His burial-mound, and need there shall be none 
' Of throwing up a cairn for him, when Argives 
' Shall honour him with funeral-rites." He spake ; 

325 And boiling up, roaring, with foam and blood 
And bodies of the dead, he rose on high 
Rushing along in rage against Achilles. 
So now the rain-fed River's dark swoln wave 
Arose up-heaved, and 'gan take down Peleides. 
But Here in mighty dread about Achilles, 
Cried loud for fear the great deep-eddying River 

330 Should sweep him quite away : and straight she spake 
Thus to her own dear son Hephaistos : " Up ! 
i Up ! Cripple-foot, my child ! for sure we guess 
1 How that yon eddying Xanthus thinks to be 

* Match against thee in battle ! But all speed, 

* Hie to the rescue, and Shew great blazing fire ! 
' And I '11 go call a heavy hurricane, 

335 ' Of Western Zephyr and of brightening Notos, 
1 South Wind, from out the Sea, such hurricane, 



586 THE ILIAD. XXI. 

' As sure shall bear thy ruinous flame along, 

i And burn the heads and harness off the Trojans : 

* And thou, Burn thou the trees by Xanthus' banks, 

' And Set Him too on fire : and never a whit 

' Thee let him turn by soft words, or by threats : 

340 i Nor stay thy rage ; until when I shall shout 

' With a loud cry ; then stop the unwearied fire." 
She spake : whereat Hephaistos made him ready 
His marvellous-blazing fire : first on the plain 
The fire did blaze, and burned full many a corse 
Which were in heaps thereon, slain by Achilles : 

345 And all the plain became parched up, and checked 
Was now the brilliant w r ater. As when Boreas, 
The North wind, in the time of fruit, soon dries 
A newly-watered vineyard, and makes glad 
Him who thereof has tendance ; so dried up 
Was all the plain ; and he burnt down the corses ; 
And 'gainst the River turned he a flame bright blazing. 

350 Blaze then did willows, elms, and tamarisks ; 
And blazing was the clover, and the rush, 
And the sweet sedge, all which did largely grow 
About the beauteous waters of the River : 
And eels were in distress, and fishes plunged 
Hither and thither, tumbling, some in eddies, 
Some in the clear fair water, —all distressed 

355 By the hot breath of ever-ready Hephaistos. 
A-blaze too was his mightiness the River, 
Who spake this word, and uttered it aloud : 
" Hephaistos ! Never one of all the gods 
s Can vie with thee at least ; neither will / 
6 'Gainst thee forsooth with blazing fire fight thus. 
' Have done with war, and e'en let prince Achilles 



book $. 587 

' Forthwith drive out the Trojans from their Town : 
1 what have I to do with battle and aid?" 
So spake he, still a-blaze with fire ; and up 
Bubbled his beauteous waters. As a caldron, 
Filled with the melting lard of plump-fed hog. 
Seethes bubbling up within from every side, 
Sore pressed by ample fire, and underneath it 
Sere billet-wood is laid ; so his fair streams 

365 Did blaze with fire, and seething was the water : 
Nor cared he to flow on, but held him still ; 
For shrewd Hephaistos' fiery breath perforce 
Distressed him sore : whereat with many a prayer 
To Here spake he thus in winged words : 
" Here ! Why ever is thy son so eager 
' Thus to distress my stream above all others ? 

370 ' Sure not so much to blame am I forsooth, 
* As are yon others all, who help the Trojans. 
i Yet cease will I i' faith, if Thou so bidst : 
' But let this one cease also : and moreover 
1 Here do I swear, that never will I help 
6 To ward the day of evil from the Trojans, 

375 ' Not e'en when lighted up with furious fire 
1 All Troy is blazing ; and the warrior-sons 
■ Of Argives light it." Straight on hearing this, 
The white-armed goddess Here thus addressed 
Her own dear son Hephaistos : " Hold! Hephaistos, 
1 My far-renowned child ! for 't is not seemly 

380 ( Thus for the sake of mortals to treat roughly 

1 A deathless god." She spake : whereat Hephaistos 
At once put out his marvellous-blazing fire : 
And back again down rushed the wave forthwith 
Along in comely streams. And when thus quelled 



588 THE ILIAD. XXI. 

Was Xanthus' might, the twain then took their rest ; 
For Here, wroth howe'er, did hold them in. 

385 Meanwhile, upon the other gods came Strife 
Heavy, distressful ; and within their breasts 
Their souls breathed forth at odds : anon to blows 
They fell together with a mighty din, 
And broad Earth rattled ; and the vasty Heaven 
Trumpeted all around : and on Olympus 
Sat Zeus and heard it ; and his very heart 

390 Laughed for delight, at seeing the gods meet thus 
In battle-strife together. Then did They 
Not any longer stand apart ; for Ares 
Piercer of Shields, with brazen spear in hand, 
Began the fray, and first attacked Athene, 
And spake this word reproachful : " Why again, 
' shameless Hound-fly, with thy blustering boldness, 

395 ' Why dost thou drive the gods to fight together ? 
1 Sure now a mighty mood has urged thee on. 
1 Dost not remember, when thou urgedst on 
'Tydeides Diomed to wound me? and t/iou, 
' Thyself didst take the spear in sight of all, 
1 And straight at me didst thrust, and my fair flesh 
' Didst rend : so now then thou shalt pay, methinks, 

400 ' Acquittance for the heinous deeds thou hast done me." 
So saying, he thrust against her tasselled iEgis, 
Frightful, which not e'en thunderbolt of Zeus 
May vanquish : yea thereon with lengthy spear 
Did blood-stained Ares thrust her : She howe'er 
Drew back and with her sturdy hand caught up 
A stone, that lay upon the plain, — black, rough, 

405 And huge, which men of olden time had set 
To be a land-mark : herewith furious Ares 



book $. 589 

She hit upon his neck, and loosed his limbs : 

And down he pitched, and sprawled o'er seven broad roods, 

Bedusting all his flowing hair ; and loud 

His harness rang again all round : whereat 

Pallas Athene laughed, and glorying o'er him 

410 Outspake these winged words : " And hast not noticed, 
1 E'en yet, Simpleton, how much thy better 
1 Boast I to be, that thus thou measurest 
' Thyself in strength with me ? Thus haply in full 
1 Thy mother's curses mayst thou satisfy, 
1 For she with thee is wroth, and plots thee mischief, 
' Because thou hast left the Achaians, and dost help 

415 ' The haughty Trojans." When she thus had spoken, 
She turned away her radiant eyes : and Him, 
Groaning full sore, Jove's daughter Aphrodite 
Took by the hand and led away ; and hardly 
Did he recover heart again. Now when 
The white-armed goddess Here noted her, — 
To Athene straight she spake these winged words : 

420 " Daughter, Tameless, of iEgis-bearing Zeus ! 

1 Strange, now sure yon shameless hound-fly again 
( Is leading slaughterous Ares through the throng 
1 From out the wasteful fight : but hie ! attack them ! " 
She spake : and after them Athene rushed, 
And was at heart w^ell-pleased : so up she came, 
And smote them on the breast with her plump hand, 

425 Whereby at once were Aphrodite's knees 

And dear heart all un-nerved. So down together 
They both were laid upon the all-bounteous Earth : 
Whereat then glorying o'er them spake Athene 
These winged words : " suchlike now Be all, 
1 All helpers of the Trojans, when they think 



590 THE ILIAD. XXI. 

4 To engage in fight 'gainst breastplate-harnessed Argives ; 
430 ' And be they all as bold and staunch, as here 
4 Has Aphrodite come to the aid of Ares, 
' And stood against my might : sure long ago 
' Then throughly sacked had we the fair-built Town 
4 Of Ilion, and had left off war." She spake ; 
Whereat the white-armed goddess Here smiled. 
Meanwhile, the mighty Shaker of the Earth 
435 Spake thus unto Apollo : " Phoebus ! why, 

Why stand we twain apart now ? 'T is not seemly, 
When others have begun : 't were more than shame, 
If without fighting we returned to Olympus, 
Unto Jove's brass-floored palace. Come, begin ! 
For thou by birth art younger : 't is not fair 
That I at least begin, for I 'm thine elder, 
440 ' And am more knowing. Ah, how silly a heart 
Thou hast, Simpleton ! Remember'st not, 
What aboat Ilion we Ve already suffered, — 
What sore distress indeed, we two alone 
Of all the gods, when at Jove's hest we came 
To proud Laomedon, and were his hirelings, 
At wages covenanted for a year, 
445 ( And he did set us tasks, and bare command? 
I forsooth for the Trojans built yon Town 
And Wall both broad and passing beautiful, 
That so the Town should be unbreachable : 
And sluggish-footed, twist-horned beeves didst Thou, 
Phoebus, tend at pasture on the knolls 
Of woody Ida with its many vallies. 
450 ' But when the jolly Hours at length brought round 
The time for pay, then dread Laomedon 
Wronged both of us of all our pay, and sent us 



BOOK $. 



591 



1 With many a threat away. Thee did he threaten 
1 To bind thee foot and hand above, and ship thee 
1 Beyond the sea for sale at far off isles : 
1 And he did stand to it, he would lop with knife 

455 ' The ears from both. So we at once hied back, 
' With wrathful heart, angry about our wages, 
1 The which he had promised us, but did not pay. 
1 Dost thou therefor to His folk now shew kindness ? 
' And dost not rather undertake with us, 
1 How that the haughty Trojans may be brought 
1 Low on their knees and perish wretchedly, 

460 ' Together with their tender wives and children ? " — 
Then answered him the long-shot king Apollo : 
" Shaker of Earth ! thou wouldst not say, methinks, 
' That of sound wits was I, if now with Thee 
' I fight for sake of mortal folk, poor wretches, 
i Who, like as leaves, do now so bravely flourish, 

465 ' All fiery hot, eating the fruit of Earth, 
( And now again lifeless they fade away. 
1 But with all speed let us have done with battle : 
1 And let them yonder fight, e'en by themselves." 
So saying, he forthwith turned away again ; 
For that ashamed he was with father's brother 
To mingle hand to hand in fight. Then Him 

470 His sister roundly chid, — the lady Huntress 
Of wild beasts, Artemis, — and spake this word 
Keproachful : " Art now fleeing away, Far-Shooter? 
f And hast thou to Poseidon yielded all 
1 The upper hand ? and idly giv'n him triumph ? 
' Simpleton ! why in vain bear'st thus thy bow ? 

475 ' Let me no more now in our father's halls 

' Hear thee, as heretofore 'mong deathless gods, 



592 



THE ILIAD. XXI. 



i Brag of thy fighting face to face Poseidon." 
She spake : whereat the long-shot king Apollo 
Answered her never a word ; but all in wrath 
Jove's tender consort chid with words reproachful 

480 The Arrow-loving queen : " And how i' th' world 
' Thus against me now longest thou to stand, 
' shameless she-dog ! Hard, I warrant thee, 
' Am I for thee to cope withal in strength ; 
1 Bow-bearing though thou art ; for against women 
( Thee Zeus has made a lion, and has giv'n thee 
' To slay e'en whom thou wilt. Sure now 'tis better 

485 ' On hills to kill fierce beasts and wilder hinds, 

1 Than 'gainst thy betters thus in strength to battle. 
' But if thou wouldst, — come, now be taught in battle, 
i That so thou well mayst know how much the stronger 
' Am I, whene'er thou measurest might with me." 
She spake, and straight seized both the Huntress' hands 
At wrist with her left hand, and with the right 

490 Snatched off her bow and quiver from her shoulders, 
And smiling 'gan therewith to smite her ears, 
As turned she oft about : and out did fall 
The nimble arrows : then away in tears 
The goddess fled, like dove, that flies away 
Before a hawk, to a cleft in hollow rock ; 

495 For to be caught was not her destiny ; 
So she fled all in tears, and there behind 
Left bow and arrows on the spot. Meanwhile, 
The Argus-killer Guide spake thus to Leto : 
" Leto ! 'gainst Thee now /'ll not fight a whit; 
' For with the consorts of cloud-gatherer Zeus 
' 'T is hard to bandy blows : but hie, and boast 

500 ' With right glad soul among the deathless gods 



book $. 593 

' That me thou hast mastered by sheer might and main." 

E'en so he spake : but Leto gathered up 

The crooked bow and arrows which had fallen, 

Some here, some there, amid the whirl of dust. 

Then hied she back again, taking the bow 

And arrows of her daughter ; who meanwhile 

505 Had gone to Olympus, to the brass-floored halls 
Of Zeus ; and there in tears the daughter sat her 
Down on her father's knees ; and all about her 
The ambrosial garment shook again in flutter; 
Unto him then her father Chronides 
Clasped her, and sweetly laughing 'gan to enquire : 
" Who now of all the heavenly gods, dear child, 

510 ' In such sort recklessly has dealt with thee, 

' As though some evil hadst thou openly done ? " 
Then answered him the fair-girt noisy Huntress : 
"Treated me roughly, father, has thy consort, 
' The white-armed Here, she, by means of w T hom 
1 Quarrel and Strife is fastened on the Deathless." 
In such sort each w T ith other did they talk. 

515 Meanwhile, Apollo Phoebus hied his way 
Down into sacred Ilion ; for the wall 
Of the strong-builded City was his care ; — 
Lest in despite of Destiny the Danaans 
That day should overthrow it. Back to Olympus 
Went all the other everliving gods, 
Some in sore w T rath, and some full proudly boasting ; 

520 And down they sat before the cloud-wrapt father. — 
Slaying the Trojans was Achilles yet, 
At once both men as well as firm-hoofed horses. 
And as when from a burning Town up-goes 
A smoke and reaches unto vasty heaven ; 

38 



594 



THE ILIAD* XXI. 



And 't is the wrath of gods has kindled it ; 
And toil on all it lays, and sends distress 

525 On many a one ; so did Achilles lay 

Toil and distress full sore upon the Trojans. — 
Standing upon his sacred upmost tower 
Was now the ancient Priam, and noted thence 
Achilles, monstrous terrible ; and in flight 
Before him were the Trojans driv'n pell-mell ; 
Nor was there any help : then from his tower 

530 Down stepped he, wailing, to the ground forthwith, 
To rouse the famous keepers of the gates 
At the Town-wall : " Hold ye in hand the gates 

I Wide open, till our fleeing troops haye entered 
* Into the Town ; for sure hard by is here 

i Achilles driving them pell-mell : now, 

I I fear, wiH be destruction. Soon as haply 

535 * They gain fresh breath crowding within the wall, 

1 Then straightway shut again the strong-planked doors ; 
' For much I dread, lest yonder slaughterous man 
1 Should rush inside the wall." He spake : whereat 
They straight thrust back the bolts and oped the gates : 
And, opened wide, gave they the light of safety. 
Anon thereout Apollo sprang to meet them 

540 And to ward off destruction from the Trojans. 
]N T ow straight towards the Town and lofty wall 
Fleeing were they, all dusty, from the plain, 
Throats rough with thirst : and following with his Ianee 
Was He in hot pursuit ; and mighty rage 
Was ever in his heart, and fain he was 
To carry off the glory. Then forsooth 

545 Had sons of Argives won high-gated Troy, 
Had not Apollo Phoebus urged a man, 



BOOK $. 



595 



Godlike Agenor, blemishless and sturdy, 
Antenor's son ; into whose heart he put 
Bold courage ; and beside him he himself, 
To keep away the heavy hands of Death, 
Stood, leaning him against an oak, where hidden 

550 In a thick mist he was. Now when Agenor 
Noted the city-wasting chief Achilles, 
He stopped ; and for a while, as there he stood, 
Much troubled was his heart ; and heavy-laden 
Thus to his own great-hearted soul he said : 
" Alas, Oh me! If before strong Achilles 
1 I think to flee the way whereby these others 

555 ' Are taking flight bewildered, yea even so 

' Me would he catch and cut my helpless weasand : 

1 If I howe'er let them indeed be driven 

' Pell-mell before Achilles Peleus' son, — 

4 And from the wall I meanwhile fly elsewhither 

4 Upon my feet towards the Ilian plain, # 

1 Until I haply reach the knolls of Ida, 

560 ' And plunge among the brushwood, — then at eve 
4 1 might mayhap go bathe me in the river, 
4 And cool away this sweat, and make my way 
4 Back into Ilion : — but wherefore thus 
4 Does my dear heart hold converse? Ah, I fear 
4 He sure would mark me making off from Town 
4 Towards the plain, and in pursuit would rush 

565 ' With his swift feet and catch me : then avoidance 
' Of death and violent Fate would be no longer : 
4 For beyond all men passing strong is he. 
' But what if I go meet him face to face 
4 Before the Town ! for yea, sure woundable 

* The plain on which the tomb of Ilus was. 



596 THE ILIAD. XXI. 

* Is His flesh also by keen brass, and in him 

' Is but one life, and folk do say he's mortal, 

570 ' Howe'er Zeus Chronides vouchsafes him glory." 
So saying, he crouched him ready, and awaited 
Achilles' coming : and the sturdy heart 
Within him throbbed all fain to fight and battle. 
Like as a panther comes from out deep thicket 
To face a huntsman, and no manner of fear 
Has she at heart, nor thinks to flee, at hearing 

575 The voice of hounds; for though mayhap the hunter 
Should be beforehand with her, and wound her, 
From near at hand or far ; and e'en though pierced 
Eight through with spear; yet not does she leave off 
Her prowess, till at least she has grappled with him, 
Or till she 's mastered ; so godlike Agenor, 
Gallant An tenor's son, thought not to flee, 

580 Till of Achilles he should first make trial. 

But now his good round shield held he before him, 

♦ And at Peleides took his aim with spear, 

And shouted thus aloud : " Now sure, I ween, 
' Full hope hadst thou at heart, glorious Achilles, 
' This day to sack the high-souled Trojans' Town ; 

585 ' simpleton, sure many a hardship yet 

' Shall be in attacking her ; for there-within 
6 We 're many men and stout, and in defence 

* Of our dear parents and our wives and children 
1 We '11 rescue Ilion : meet howe'er shalt thou 

1 With thy death here, for all thou art a warrior 

* So daring and terrific." Spake he thus, 

590 And launched sharp javelin from his heavy hand : 
And hit the foeman's leg below the knee, 
Nor did he miss his aim : and on his leg 



book #. 597 

The greave of new-wrought tin did ring again 
^Terribly : but the brazen dart rebounded 
Back from the stricken chief and pierced him not : 
For so the god's gifts hindered it. Anon, 

595 At the god-like Agenor rushed Peleides : 
But no, Apollo would not let him win 
The glory here, but snatched away Agenor ; 
And hid him in thick mist, and sped him forth 
From out the fight to hie him home at ease. 
Then from the troops kept He Peleides off 
By trick ; for in Agenor' s thorough likeness 

600 Before his feet the long-shot Bowyer stood : 
Then with swift feet Achilles hied for chasing. 
Him for a time put He to flight, and chased him 
Running the while but little space before, 
O'er the flat wheat-land, then along Scamander, 
Deep-eddying river : for by trick forsooth 
Apollo so did cozen him, that still 

605 Ever in hope was he with his swift feet 
To overtake the foe. Fleeing meanwhile 
In throng came the other Trojans to the City, 
Well-pleased ; and with their crowds the Town was filled. 
For not indeed outside the Town and wail 
Longer dared they to wait each one for other, 
And learn, both who had 'scaped, and who was dead 

)10 In battle-field; but poured they along, right gladly 
Into the Town, yea all whose legs and feet 
Had safely rescued them, in quick retreat. 



598 THE ILIAD. XXII. 



ARGUMENT OF THE TWENTY -SECOND BOOK. X. 

The Trojans shut themselves up in the Town ; but Hector stays without, in 
spite of the entreaties of Priam and Hecuba. Achilles returns towards 
the Town from his idle chace after Apollo, Hector flees from him. 
Zeus balances the Destinies of Achilles and Hector : that of the former 
rises, and Hector's sinks to the ground. Apollo, by the command of Zeus, 
abandons Hector. Athene helps Achilles, and in the disguise of Hector's 
brother Deiphobus she urges Hector to stand fast and fight Achilles : he 
does so : and Achilles kills him, and fastens the body by the feet behind 
his chariot, and so drags him trailing over the plain down to the ships. 
The grief of Priam, of Hecuba and Andromache, at the loss of Hector. 

CHI : how the son of Thetis kills prince Hector. 



Into the Town thus fled they, like as fawns, 
And 'gan to cool themselves from sweat ; and leaning 
Against the goodly bulwarks they did drink, 
And quenched their thirst : unto the wall meanwhile 
The Achaians now drew near, slanting their shields 
Upon their shoulders. But a slaughterous Fate 
5 Shackled prince Hector there upon the spot 
In front of Ilion, at the Scaian gates. 
Meanwhile, Apollo Phoebus thus addressed 
The son of Peleus : " Why, son of Peleus, 
6 Me art thou chasing thus with nimble feet, 
* Thyself being death-doomed, me a deathless god ? 
1 And dost not know me yet, that I 'm a god, 
10 ' So hotly rushest thou ! Sure then at heart 



BOOK X. 



599 



' Thou hast no care for toil against the Trojans, 

1 Whom thou hast put to flight, who 're now drawn back 

1 Into the Town, while hither thou hast turned thee 

1 Aside, in vain ; for me thou canst not slay, 

1 Since not death-doomed am I indeed." Hereat, 

Heavily wroth, foot-swift Achilles answered : 

15 " Beguiled me hast thou in turning me aside 
1 Hither now from the wall, long-shot Bowyer, 
1 Most mischievous of all the gods ! Sure else 
1 Ere reaching Ilion, many a one had taken 
' The ground betwixt his teeth ! But of great glory 
* Me hast thou here bereft, and rescued them 
' With reckless ease, for that thou hast no dread 

20 ' Of recompense hereafter : sure on thee 
1 Avenge me would I, had I but the power." 
So saying, towards the Town away he strode, 
Full of high thoughts at heart, rushing along ; 
Like as a horse, prize-winner, with his chariot, 
That stretches o'er the plain and lightly runs : 
So swiftly Achilles plied his feet and knees. 

25 Him first the old Priam saw before his eyes, 
As o'er the plain thus darted he, all shining, 
Like as the star that comes at end of Summer ; 
And among many stars in dead of night 
Its rays beam forth right clear ; and which by name 
They call " Orion s Dog ;" # most bright it is, 

30 And is a sign unlucky too, and brings 

Much burning fever-heat on wretched mortals : 
So now about his breast, as came he running, 
The brass did shine. Then wailed the old man " Oh me," 
And with his hands, raising them up on high, 
* Sirius, the Dog-star. 



600 THE ILIAD. XXII. 

Smote he his head, and wailing cried ^aloud, 
85 Entreating his dear son ; for he did stand 
Before the gates, full of insatiate longing 
To fight Achilles ; and thus piteously, 
With hands outstretched, the old man did now address him : 

' Hector ! aloof from others bide thou not, 

Alone, this man, I pray thee, my son ! 

Lest by Peleides thou be quickly vanquished 
40 ' And meet thy doom ; for that he's far the stronger : 

Merciless ; Ah, I would he were as dear 

Unto the gods, as is he unto me ! 

Soon then should he lie low, and dogs and vultures 

Devour his carcase ! sure too from my soul 

A horrible pain would then depart. 'T is He, . 

He that bereaves me of sons both many and brave, 
45 ' Slaying, or selling them at far off isles. 

Yea now too, 'mongst the Trojans here forced back 

Into the Town, two sons of mine,— Lycaon, 

And Polydorus, no-where can I see, 

Whom unto me a queen of women bare, 

Lady Laothoe. But if indeed 

Alive they are among yon host, then sure 
50 ' We ? 11 ransom them at price of brass and gold ; 

For such we have in house : great store thereof 

Did the renown'd old Altes give his daughter. 

But if they're dead, and in the courts of Hades,—- 

Then unto us, alas, who gave them being, 

Is woe, to my sad heart, and to their mother. 

Yet have shall all our folk woe shorter-lifed, 
55 ' If but Thou fallest not, slain by Achilles. 

enter then the wall, my son, that so 

Save mayst thou Trojan men and Trojan women, 



BOOK X. 601 

1 And not hold out great glory to Peleides, 

i Nor be thyself amerced in thy dear life : 

' Take pity also on this wretched me 

1 While yet I 've life and sense, whom in hard lot, 
CO ' Ill-fated, on the threshold from old age, 

' Shall father Chronides make pine away 

1 With sight of many troubles ; — my sons killed ; 

' My daughters dragged off captive, and their chambers 

' Utterly ravaged, and their infant babes 

1 In terrible slaughter dashed against the ground ; 

1 Sons' wives too dragged along by murderous hands 
65 ' Of Argives. And at last mayhap when some one, 

' By close-hand stroke or off-hand, with keen brass 

* Has reft my limbs of life, then also me 

* In my front gates shall raw-devouring dogs 

' Mangle and drag, dogs that in house I've reared, 

' Fed at my table, guardians of my doors ; 

' Yea lap shall they my very blood, and lay them 

70 ' In my front gates, uneasy at heart with gorging : 
( 'T is seemly for a young man, slain in battle, 
' To lie outstretched, mangled by sharp-edged brass ; 
' For all is comely about him, dead although, 
' Whate'er is seen : but when an old man falls 
' Slaughtered, and dogs disgrace his hoary head 

75 ' i\nd hoary chin and all his nakedness, 

' Oh this for wretched mortals is most piteous." 

So spake the old man, and with his hands 'gan tearing 

His hoary hair, plucking it from his head ; 

But moved not Hector's mind. On the other side 

In tears his mother wailed, baring her bosom, 

80 And with one hand held up her breast, and weeping 
Addressed him thus in winged words : " My Child, 



602 THE ILIAD. XXII. 

' Hector, reverence these, and pity me, 

' Yea me ; if e'er to thee I 've giv'n the breast 

' Lulling thine infant cares, bethink thee of these, 

i Dear child ! come within the wall, and so 

' Ward off that slaughterous man : but stand not forth 

85 * Thus against Him; Cruel; if indeed 
' Thee shall he slay, sure never over thee, 
i Laid forth on bier, shall I at least lament, 
' my sweet bud, whom I did bear, nor shall 
4 Thy richly-dowried consort; but aloof, 
1 Far from us both, devour thee shall swift dogs 
' Beside yon Argive ships." Thus did they twain 

90 In tears with many a prayer beseech their son ; 

Yet moved not Hector's mind : but staunch stood He 

Biding Achilles monstrous terrible 

Now drawing near. And as a mountain dragon, 

Nourished on deadly poison, — at his hole 

Awaits a man's approach : and bitter rage 

Has come upon him, and about his hole 

95 He coils himself and glares with dreadful eye ; 
So Hector held his battle-rage unquenched, 
Leaned his bright shield against the jutting tower, 
And did not budge ; but heavy at heart he spake 
Thus to his own brave soul : " Ah me, alas ! 
' Sure if I went within the gates and wall, 
1 Foremost to lay reproach on me would be 
100 ' Polydamas, yea he who bade me lead # 
f Our Trojans to the Town that fatal night 
' When prince Achilles rushed so fierce to battle. 
* But not was I prevailed on : sure far better 
4 Had it so been : and now since troops I 've lost 

* See Book xviii., 247, etc. 



BOOK X. 



603 



By my blind folly, I do stand in awe 

Of Trojan men and long-robed Trojan women, 

Lest some one worser than myself should say, 

1 Hector has trusted in his own vain strength 

' And so has lost our men!' So will they talk : 

For me then sure 't w T ere better far, to meet 

Achilles face to face, and either slay him 

And so return, or haply here myself 

Right gloriously to perish for our Town. 

But how, if down I lay my bossy sLield, 

And mighty helm, and set aside my spear 

Against the wall, and go then as I am 

To venture thus 'fore blemishless Achilles, 

And promise him we '11 render Helen back 

And all her havings with her, every thing, 

That Alexander brought in hollow ships 

Hither to Troy ; for She's the War's Beginning; 

And so give Atreus' sons to take her home ; 

And therewithal yet farther share in twain 

All with the Achaians, whatsoever treasures 

This Town contains ; and then I '11 draw an oath 

From the chief men and elders 'mongst the Trojans, 

That nought back shall they hide away, but parcel 

Asunder all in twain/ what wealth soe'er 

The lovely Town shuts in. But wherefore thus 

Does my dear heart hold converse ? Not to Him 

Must I indeed go suppliaryt ; for on Me 

He '11 have no pity ; Me not ever a whit 

Would He respect, but slay me, all defenceless, 

As though I were a w T oman, should I strip 

My harness off. 'T is no time now forsooth 

From oak or rock to chat at ease with Him, 



604 THE ILIAD. XXII. 

' Fond as are wont a youth and maid to chat, 
i A youth and maid together ! 'T is then better 
' To meet in battle-strife : let 's know at soonest, 
' To whether of us twain Olympian Zeus 

130 ' Shall now hold out the glory." So he pondered, 
And did not stir : now near him came Achilles, 
Match to the god of war, plume-shaking Ares, 
And o'er right shoulder poised he to and fro 
His terrible Pelian ash ; and all about him, 
Like shine of blazing fire, or rising sun, 

135 Forth beamed his brazen harness. Then did trembling 
Get hold on Hector at the sight ; and there 
No longer ventured he to stay, but left 
The gates behind, and fled away affrighted.* 
Onward then rushed Peleides, putting trust 
In rapid feet : and as from mountain-heights 
A falcon, of all winged fowls the nimblest, 

140 Easily swoops in chase of trembling dove; 
Aside howe'er slips she and flees ; yet on 
Hard by, shrill-screaming, oft makes he a dash 
And fain his heart does bid him take his quarry ; 
So on straight swooped Achilles in hot haste, 
While Hector fled along the Trojans' wall, 
And plied his nimble knees. .Under the wall, 

145 Ever along the high-road, on rushed They, 

Past the wind-swept wild fig-tree, past watch-tower, 
And reached the well-heads, flowing with fair streams, 
Wherefrom gush forth two sources of Scamander, 
Deep-eddying river. One with lukewarm water 
Flows forth, and smoke there rises out around, 

* We must not hastily charge Hector with cowardice ; but rather remember the 
terrific appearance Achilles presented, clad in armour forged by the Fire-king 
Hephaistos. 



book X. 605 

As though from blazing fire : and the other spring 

Flows onward, cold as hail in summer-time, 

Or chilling snow, or ice congealed from water ; 

And close beside them there were large fair tanks 

Of stone, for washing, where the Trojan's wives 

And comely daughters used erewhile to w r ash 

Their glossy raiment, in the peaceful times 

Before the coming of the Achaians' sons. 

Here ran they past, the one in flight, and the other 

Behind him in pursuit : sure fleeing in front 

Was one right brave, but chasing him was one 

Yet braver far, with tearing speed : for here 

Not ox, nor ox-hide, did they strive to win 

Such as in runner's match are oft the prizes ; 

But for the horseman Hector's life they ran. 

And as when firm-hoofed horses, fleet prize-winners, 

Gallop right swiftly turning round the goals, 

And goodly is the prize put forth, a tripod, 

Or else a woman, at the funeral games 

In some dead warrior's honour;— so these twain 

With rapid feet did three times whirl about 

By Priam's Town : and all the gods looked on. 

Then thus began the Sire of men and gods : 

" Oh Shame ! Before mine eyes now sure I see 

1 A belov'd man chased round about yon wall : 

1 Grieved is my heart for Hector : for he has burnt 

' Many a bullock's thigh-bone unto me 

' Upon the crests of many-folded Ida, 

1 And oft-times also in the citadel : 

1 Yet now here 's prince Achilles on swift feet 

1 Pursuing him about the Town of Priam. 

' But come ye gods, bethink ye, and consider 



606 THE ILIAD. XXII, 

175 * Whether from death now shall we rescue him, 
' Or shall we bow him down, good as he is, 
1 Beneath the might of Peleus' son Achilles." 
Then answered him Athene bright-eyed goddess : 
" Lord of the flashing bolt, Cloud-wrapt, father! 
' What dost thou say ? A mortal man, death-doomed 
' Erewhile by Fate, dost think to set him free 

180 ' From hateful Death ? Do so : but not, i' faith, 
1 Shall all we other gods approve the deed." 
Then answered her and spake cloud-gatherer Zeus : 
" Be of good heart, Trito-born, dear daughter! 
' I speak not now in earnest mood a whit, 
' But fain would treat thee with all courtesy : 

185 * Do, even as thou wouldst, nor cease therefrom." 
So saying, he urged Athene, prompt already : 
Whereat forth sped she down the Olympian heights. 
Meanwhile in hot pursuit still driving Hector 
Was fleet Achilles. Like as when a hound 
Rouses a hind's young fawn from out his lair, 

190 And hunts him on the hills, through glade and glen; 
And though unseen he crouch beneath a bush, 
Yet steadfast on his track the hound still runs 
Until he finds him ; so escaped not Hector 
The notice of the foot-swift son of Peleus. 
And oft as e'er before the Dardan gates 
He made a sudden start for rushing on 

195 Towards the strong-built City-towers, in hope 

His friends above might aid him with their darts, 
So oft Achilles ever outstripped and turned him 
Away towards the plain ; and He strove ever 
To fly towards the Town. And as in dreams 
One has no power to chase a fleeing one ; 



book X. 607 

Nor can the fleer escape from his pursuer, — 

Nor the pursuer chase the fleer ;— so now 

Neither could this one overtake the other, 

Nor could the other make escape. And how, 

How shunned had Hector then Death's violent Fates, 

Had not Apollo to the last and utmost 

Succoured him close at hand, and stirred his might 

And nimble knees ? Godlike Achilles also 

Gave signal to his troops by shake of head, 

Forbidding them to launch keen darts at Hector, 

Lest one should hit and carry off the glory, 

And He come second best. But when at length 

For the fourth time they came unto the springs, 

Then did sire Jove spread out his golden scales, 

And put therein two several Destinies 

Of death, the Layer-forth of mortal men : 

One of Achilles, one of the horseman Hector. 

Then by the midst he took and held them up : 

And down sank Hector's fatal day, and went 

To Hades ; then A polio Phoebus left him : 

And to the son of Peleus came the goddess 

Bright-eyed Athene, and standing close beside him 

She spake these winged words : " Glorious Achilles, 

' Beloved of Zeas, now r then I hope we twain 

1 Shall surely carry off a mighty glory 

1 Unto the Achaians at the ships, by slaying 

1 Prince Hector, howsoe'er insatiable 

' He be of battle. From us now no longer 

' Has He escape before him, no indeed, 

1 Not though the long-shot Bowyer lord Apollo, 

' In e'er so suppliant plight, go and roll himself 

1 Before his father Zeus the iEgis-bearer I 



608 THE ILIAD. XXII. 

' But here now stand thou still, and take fresh breath : 
' And forth to Him will I, and soon persuade him 
' To fight thee face to face." So spake Athene : 
And he complied, and was at heart well pleased. 

225 So on his brass-barbed ashen spear he leaned 

And there stood still. Whereat forthwith she left him, 

And in the likeness of Deiphobus, 

In bodily fashion and in sturdy voice, ' 

She soon o'ertook prince Hector : close beside 

Then stood she and spake these winged words : " Now sure, 

* Full hard does fleet Achilles with swift feet, 

230 ' Dear honoured brother, press thee in pursuit 

1 About Priam's Town : yet come now, stand we fast, 
' And here abide we, and defend ourselves." 
Hereat, tall Hector of the glancing helm 
Straight answered her : " Deiphobus, far dearest 
1 To me indeed thou ever wast afore 
' Of brothers, all whom Hecuba has borne 

285 ' Unto our father Priam : but now I'm minded 
' To honour thee yet even more at heart, 
' For daring thus, at seeing me 'fore thine eyes, 
' To come outside the wall in my behalf, 
' While others bide within." Straight answered him 
Athene bright-eyed goddess : " Honoured brother, 
i Sure did our lady mother and our father, 

240 * One after other, and my friends about me 
'Beg and entreat me much to stay yet there 
' (For even so fearful are they all) : but worn 
1 Within me was my soul by painsome grief. 
' So forward straight now let us on and fight, 
1 Nor let there now of spears be any sparing ; 
' That we may see, whether shall prince Achilles 



book X. 609 

245 ' Slaughter us twain, and bear our gory spoils 
4 Off to his hollow ships, or whether perish 
' Shall he beneath thy spear." So saying (but shrewdly), 
Athene led the way. And when they had come 
And now were near each other, foremost spake 
Tall Hector of the glancing helm to his foe : 

250 " No longer will I fear thee, son of Peleus, 

' As heretofore forsooth : by Priam's great Town 
'Thrice have I fled, nor ever dared to bide 
' Thy coming on : but now my heart has urged me 
' To stand and face thee ; whether shall I slay, 
4 Or here be slain. But hereto take we now 
'The gods to witness : for best witnesses 

255 ( They '11 be and watchers over covenants : 
4 No passing great dishonour will I do thee 
4 If haply Zeus vouchsafes to me the mast'ry, 
4 And thy life should I take ; but when, Achilles, 
4 1 Ve haply stripped thee of thy glorious harness, 
* I '11 give thy corse again unto the Achaians : — 
' And do thou so likewise. " Then eyeing him 

260 Grimly askant, foot-swift Achilles answered : 
" Hector ! insuff rable ! talk not to me 
4 Of covenants. As between men and lions 
4 There are no solemn treaties, — and as wolves 
'And lambs have not one common friendly heart, 
4 But one gainst other ever think they evil ; 

265 ' So cannot I and thou be friends together ; 

' Nor 'iwixt us twain shall there be aught of treaty, 
4 Till at least one of us has fall'n and glutted 
4 The stubborn warrior Ares with his blood. 
4 Bethink thee then of every manner of prowess : 
4 Specially now, needs must thou be a spearman 



610 THE ILIAD. XXII. 

1 And a bold warrior. No escaping now 

270 ' Is in thy power, for here Athene Pallas 

1 Subdues thee by my lance : and now shalt pay 

1 At once for all the troubles of my comrades, 

' Whom in thy rage thou hast slaughtered with thy spear." 

He spake ; then poised and launched his long-helved spear. 

Bright Hector looked it in the face and shunned it : 

For, eyeing it before him, down he squatted ; 

275 Whereat the brazen lance flew o'er his head, 
And in the ground stuck fast : but up again 
Athene Pallas plucked and gave it back 
Unto Achilles, and escaped the notice 
Of Hector, pastor of his host. Anon, 
To blemishless Peleides thus spake Hector : 
" Ha, thou hast missed ; nor knewest thou aught as yet, 

280 ' Godlike Achilles, my death-doom from Zeus, 
i Although so didst thou say : but sure thou art 
' A giib-tongued sort of one, and wily in speech, 
1 In hope I should forget my strength and might 
' Through fear of thee ; yet not flee away will I, 
' Nor in my back shalt plant thy lance : but drive thou 
1 Eight through my breast as I rush on, if so 

285 i The god has giv'n thee : now howe'er avoid thou 
' My brazen lance, that within thy flesh 
' Thou mightst now carry it all away with thee ! 
' Then lighter sure would be the Trojans' warfare, 
i Wert thou but dead : for their worst Bane art Thou. 9 ' 
He spake ; then poised and launched his long-helved spear, 
And hit Peleides' buckler in the midst, 

290 Nor missed his aim : the lance howe'er glanced off 
Far from the buckler : then was Hector wroth, 
For that his weapon swift had fled in vain 



BOOK X. 611 

From out his hand : with downcast look he stood, 
For ashen spear none other had he at hand : 
Then called he to Deiphobus, white-shielded, 
With a loud shout, and begged of him a lance, 

295 " A lengthy lance ! " — but He was nothing near him ! 
Then in his heart did Hector know ; and said : 
" Strange ! now of a surety unto Death 
1 The gods have called me. Ah indeed thought / 
1 That lord Deiphobus was here at hand : 
1 But He's within the wall ; and utterly 
1 Me has Athene cheated. But at hand, 

300 ' Yea not far off, is now sad death for me ; 
' And no escape : for sure of old yea this, 
1 Was to the liking both of father Jove 
* And Jove's far-shooting son, though heretofore 
' With ready soul they've rescued me : and now 
' My doom does overtake me : yet forsooth 
' Not would I perish all ingloriously 

305 ' Without a struggle, but in some great deed, 
1 Whereof e'en those as yet unborn shall hear." 
So saying, he drew him forth his keen-edged sword, 
Which hung, both stout and mighty, at his flank : 
Then with a gathered spring he darted on, 
Like as a soaring eagle when he cleaves 
The dusky clouds and swoops towards the plain 

310 To seize a tender lamb, or cowering hare ; 

So Hector pounced, swinging his keen-edged sword : 

On rushed Achilles too, and filled his heart 

With savage rage ; and put before his breast 

His goodly quaint-wrought shield ; and with bright helm, 

Peaked fourfold, he did nod ; and round about 

315 Floated the beauteous golden hair, which waving 



612 THE ILIAD. XXIIc 

Thick had Hephaistos set about the ridge. 

And as amongst the stars in dead of night 

On moves the Evening Star, which of all stars 

In heaven is placed most fair ; so was here Shining 

From forth the pointed spear, which lord Achilles 

In his right hand did wield, with thoughts of mischief 

320 Against prince Hector ; whose fair flesh he eyed, 
Where were the fittest pass. Now every where 
His flesh was sheltered by the goodly harness 
Brazen, which from his mightiness Patroclus 
He had stripped, when him he slew ; save where appeared 
Part of the throat, just where the neck and shoulders 
Are kept asunder by the collar-bones ; 

325 Where also passing swift is Joss of life. 

Just there now prince Achilles with his lance 
Drave with fierce onslaught at him ; and the point 
Passed on right through his tender neck and out : 
Yet did the heavy brass-tipped ash not cut 
His weasand through, but that with words e'en yet 
He might say somewhat to his foe in answer. 

330 Down in the dust he fell howe'er ; and o'er him 
Thus gloried prince Achilles : " Hector ! yea, 
6 Thou didst think still mayhap, when stripping wast thou 
' Patroelus' body, thou shouldst yet be safe ; 
6 And caredst not a whit for me, far off : 
6 Fool ! — a far stronger helper left behind him 
6 At yonder hollow ships was / forsooth, 

335 ' Who now have loosed thy knees. In sort unseemly 

1 Shall dogs and fowls rend Thee ; but Him the Achaians 
' Shall bury with due honours/' Then to Achilles 
Spake Hector of the glancing helm, fast failing : 
" I entreat thee by thy life, and by thy knees, 



BOOK X. 



613 



1 And thine own fathers, leave me not for dogs 
1 To mangle and devour at the Argive ships : 

340 i But thou, accept thou gifts, both brass in heaps 
1 And gold, which sure my sire and lady mother 
1 Will give thee ; and my body give thou back 
1 Unto my home again, that so the Trojans 
1 And Trojans' wives may grant the rights of fire 
1 To my dead corse." Then spake foot-swift Achilles, 
Eyeing him grimly : " Dog! knee me no knees, 

345 ' Neither beseech me for my fathers' sates. 

' 'Would that my rage and wrath would somehow stir me, 

1 Here as I am, to cut off thy raw flesh 

' And eat it, for such deeds as thou hast done me ! 

1 Wherefore there's no man, that shall keep away 

i Dogs from thy head : no, not if they would bring 

1 And weigh me out here ten -fold ransom-money 

350 ' And twenty-fold, and promise me yet else : 
' Nor yet if Priam Dardanides should bid 
' To ransom thy bare corse at weight of gold : 
' Not even so Thee shall thy lady mother 
1 Lay forth on bier to mourn thee, her own child ; 
' But dogs and fowls shall rend thee all in pieces ! " 
To him then Hector of the glancing helm 

355 Spake thus, a-dying : " Sure I know thee throughly 
' And have a foresight of thee in my soul ; 
1 Nor did I think forsooth I should persuade thee ; 
1 For within Thee the heart indeed is iron : 
1 Consider now, lest somewhat I become 
' The cause of bringing the gods' wrath on Thee, 
1 That day, when Paris and Apollo Phoebus 

360 * Shall surely slay thee at the Scaian gates, 

i Brave howsoe'er thou art." As thus he spake, 



614 THE ILIAD. XXII. 

The term of Death enwrapped him : and his soul 
Flitted from forth his limbs and went to Hades, 
Mourning its doom, at having quitted strength 
And pride and prime of life. Then him though dead 
Did prince Achilles thus address : " So Die : 

365 ' And I my doom will then accept, whene'er 
' Zeus and the other deathless gods may will 
' To bring it unto an end." He spake, and plucked 
From out the corse his brazen spear ; aside 
Then laid he this, and from the dead man's shoulders 
'Gan strip the gory harness : now about him 
Ran other sons of Argives, who indeed 

370 With wonder gazed on Hector's goodly growth 
And admirable shape : but never a one 
Stood by but gave him yet a wound at least. 
And 'twas on this wise some amongst them spake, 
Eyeing* his nearest mate : " Rare ! now sure, 
' Hector is easier far to deal with now, 
( Than when he fired our ships and set them blazing I" 

375 In such sort spake they as they came and stabbed him. 
Now when the able-footed prince Achilles 
Had stripped him bare, then standing midst the Achaians 
He spake these winged words and said : " friends, 
1 Ye guardian chiefs and leaders of the Argives, 
' Since now the gods have giv'n me to subdue 
6 This man, who times and oft has wrought us mischief, 

380 ' More than have all our other foes together, 
' Come, an 't so please ye, let us for the Town 
' Make trial now in arms, that we may learn 
' What manner of mood is now upon the Trojans ; 
* Whether, since this man's fallen, will they quit 
1 Their citadel ; or whether are they bent 



BOOK X, 615 

4 On biding yet, though Hector be no more. 

385 ' But why does my dear heart hold converse thus ? 
1 Lying beside yon ships is my Patroclus, 
1 A corse, unwept, unburied : and not Him 
' Will I forget, so long as 'mongst the living 
4 Am I, and my dear knees have power to stir : 
' And if in Hades' realm yea utterly 
4 They do forget the dead, yet also there 

390 ' Will / remember my dear friend. But come, 
4 Sing we the song of triumph, ye lads, 
4 Sons of Achaians, and to the hollow ships 
4 Let us return, and with us take this body : 
4 Great glory have we won ! We Ve slain prince Hector, 
4 Him to whom Trojans all throughout their Town 
4 Were wont to pay their vows, as unto a god." 

395 He spake : and on prince Hector he contrived 
Unseemly deeds : at back of both his legs 
Through the two sinews, from out heel to ankle, 
He bored, and fastened oxhide thongs therefrom, 
And lashed them to his chariot-board ; but suffered 
The head to trail along : then mounting up 
On chariot-board, and taking also up 

400 The famous arms, he touched his horses on ; 
And not unwilling on the twain did fly : 
And there was dust about the trailing body ; 
And filled therewith was his dark flowing hair : 
And all his head, so comely heretofore, 
Was now laid low in dust : sure then Zeus gave 
His foes to treat him with unseemly outrage, 

405 In his own fatherland. Thus all bedusted 

Was Hector's head. Meanwhile, his lady mother 
Did rend her hair, and threw away far off 



616 THE ILIAD. XXII. 

Her brilliant veil ; and looking on her son 
Fall sore she shrieked aloud. And piteously 
His father too did wail : and seized with shrieking 
On all sides were the people, and with wailing 

410 Throughout the Town : and hereupon forsooth 
'T was all as though the whole of beetling Ilion 
Were smouldering down with fire from top to bottom. 
With much ado the people scarce could stay 
The old man in his distress, so fain he was 
To sally from the Dardan gates : and naming 
Each several man by name, he prayed them all, 

415 As in the dirt he rolled himself : " friends, 

1 Howe'er concerned, Hold off, and leave me alone 
' To quit the Town and go to the Argive ships : 
' I '11 pray this arrogant man of heinous deeds, 
' If somehow he 11 respect my time of life, 
' And on old age have pity : for sure He 

420 ' Has yet a father of such age, old Peleus, 

6 Who bred and reared him, to become the Bane 

' Of Trojans ; and on Me beyond you all 

' Woe has he brought most chiefly : for from Me 

1 So many a blooming son he has reft and slaughtered : 

1 For all of whom not do I mourn so much, 

' However grieved, as for this one, my Hector ; 

425 * Keen pain for whom will bring me down with sorrow 
i Into the gates of. Hades : Oh that here 
' Died had he in mine arms ! then had we twain, 
' His mother, she who most unhappy bare him, 
' And I too, had our fill of tears and wailing ! " 
So spake he in loud lament : and townsmen with him 
Did sigh again : and 'mongst her Trojan ladies 

430 Thus began Hecuba in vehement woe : 



BOOK X. 617 

1 My Child ! wherefore should this wretched I, 
1 In strange ill case, yet live, when dead art Thou ? 
1 Thou who throughout the Town wast ever wont 
( To be my boast by night as well as day, 
1 And wast a cheering Help throughout the City 
' Unto all Trojans, men as well as women, 

435 ' Who welcomed thee, as though thou hadst been a god : 
' For sure their Glory passing great indeed 
1 Thou'dst been, hadst but thou lived : but Death and Fate 
' Have reached thee now." So spake she in sad lament : 
Meanwhile, not yet had Hector's wife heard aught : 
For unto her no trusty messenger 
Had gone to tell, how that her lord had stayed 

440 Outside the gates : but weaving a web was She, 
In inner chamber of the lofty palace, 
A mantle, gleaming bright, with double woof, 
Whereon in groups she wrought embroidered flowers. 
The fair-tressed handmaids in the house she had bidden 
Set a large tripod on the fire ; that Hector 
Might have, on his return from out the battle, 

445 A warm bath : simpleton ! nor did she know 

How that, full far from baths, bright-eyed Athene 
Had bowed him down beneath Achilles' hands. 
Shrieking now heard she from the tower, and wailing ; 
Whereat her limbs did quiver, and to the ground 
From out her hand down fell the rod ; # and straight 
She addressed her fair-haired slaves : " Hither ! with me 

450 \ Hie two of you : I '11 see what 's happed : the voice 
t Sure heard I of my reverend mother-in-law ; 
' And up within my very breast the heart 

* By which, in ancient times, the threads of the woof were driven home so as to 
make the web eyen and close. 



618 



THE ILIAD. XXII. 



' Leaps flickering to my mouth, and under me 
' My limbs are stiffened : sure some ill is nigh 
'To Priam's children. Ah, be such a tale 
' Far from mine ear ! yet strangely do I dread 

455 ' Lest prince Achilles now be cutting off 

' My gallant Hector from the Town,— alone, — 

\ And chasing him a-field ; and now shall make him 

' Cease from that painsome courage, which possessed him ; 

' For never lagged he in the crowd of men, 

' But far a-head was wont to hie, and yielded 

1 To no man in that furious might of his." 

460 So saying, she rushed, like woman raving mad, 
Out through the house, quaking at heart for fear : 
And with the mistress went her serving- worn en. 
Now when she reached the tower and throng of men, 
She stood upon the wall and peered about : 
. And Him before the Town she noted, dragged, 

465 And recklessly were dragging him swift horses 
Unto the Achaians' hollow ships. Hereat, 
Dark night o'erwhelmed her eyes : and down she sank 
Backwards, and in a swoon gasped forth her life : 
Then dropped she from her head its glossy tire, 
Fillet, and net, and plaited band ; and lappet ; 

470 Which golden Aphrodite gave to her, 

That day, when Hector of the glancing helm 
Led her his bride from forth Eetion's palace, 
When wedding gifts he gave her past all tale. 
In throng now round her stood her husband's sisters, 
Also his brothers' wives, who 'mongst them all 
Took charge of her, bewildered even to death. 

475 Now soon as she revived, and into her heart 
Re-gathered was the spirit, then wailing out 



BOOK X. 



619 



Amongst the Trojan women spake she thus, 
With sudden bursts : " Hector ! — Unhappy Me ! 
then we both were born with one ill doom, 
Thou in the house of Priam here in Troy, 
And I, beneath the woody heights of Placos, 
At Thebe, in Eetion's house : hard-fated, 
He reared me there through childhood, me ill-doomed. 
Oh that he ne'er had child ! And now thou 'rt going 
To Hades' halls within the depths of Earth, 
And me, a widow in thy house, thou leavest 
In hateful sadness ; and mere babe as yet 
The child we bred, both thou and I most wretched ; 
Neither to Him shalt Thou be of any help, 
My Hector, for thou'rt dead; nor He to Thee. 
For e'en if haply indeed he should escape 
The Achaians' lamentable war, yet ever 
Distress and trouble must he have hereafter : 
Away from him his corn-field boundaries 
Others will mark. The day of orphanhood 
Bereaves a child of all his childhood's friends : 
And he's all downcast, and his cheeks in tears. 
In want then goes the child to his father's friends, 
Pulls one by his cloak, another by his coat ; 
And one of them in pity barely hands him 
A little cup, and just his lips forsooth 
He wets, but roof of mouth indeed wets not. 
And one mayhap who blooms, both parents living, 
E'en cuffs him with his hands, and roughly thrusts him 
From forth his meal, and chides him with reproaches, — 
1 So ! get thee gone ! with Us feasts not Thy father /" 
In tears to his widowed mother then returns 
The child, — Astyanax, — who afore indeed 



620 THE ILIAD. XXII. 

500 ' Was wont upon his father's knees to eat 

1 But choicest marrow and goodly fat of sheep : 
' And when sleep came on him, and he had ceased 
' His childish play, then, having filled his heart 
' With dainty cheer, aye was he wont to slumber 
1 In a soft berth a-bed, i' th' nurse's arms : 
' But his dear father now he 11 miss, and suffer 

505 ' Sure many a hardship, — will Astyanax # 

(" Lord of the Town"), as Trojans fondly call him 
' By surname : for their gates and long town-walls 
1 Thou didst alone protect : but now alas, 
' By yonder crook-beaked ships, far from thy fathers, 
1 Shall wriggling worms devour thy naked corse, 
' When dogs have had their fill : yet in thy halls 

51.0 ' Raiment in store thou hast, both fine and comely, 
' Wrought by the hands of women. But indeed 
' With kindled fire down will I burn all this ; 
' To Thee alas no manner of good (for wrapped 
1 Not shalt thou lie therein) ; but for thine honour 
1 Before the Trojans and the Trojans' wives." 
So spake she wailing sore ; while standing by 

515 The women answered her with sigh for sigh. 

* See Book vi., 402, 403. 



book V. 621 



ARGUMENT OF THE TWENTY-THIRD BOOK. ¥. 

The Myrmidons mourning for Patroclus. Achilles gives a funeral-ban- 
quet. Patroclus' ghost appears to him in his sleep and begs for burial. 
The funeral-pile is built, and on it Achilles sacrifices, in honour of his 
dead friend, four horses, two dogs, and twelve Trojan youths. Aphro- 
dite and Apollo preserve Hector's body from corruption. The burnt 
bones of Patroclus are gathered into a golden vessel and a mound is heaped 
over them. Achilles then institutes various funeral games, and gives 
various costly prizes, for chariot-race, boxing, foot-race, aiming with 
spear, quoits, bowmanship : he awards to Agamemnon, without contest, 
the prize for skill with javelin. 

PS I sings the funeral rites for lord Patroclus : 
The feast, the pile, the victims ; games and prizes. 



Thus then were They all sighing in the Town : 
Meanwhile the Achaians, when they had reached their ships 
And Hellespont, they soon dispersed and went 
Each to his several galley ; yet Achilles 
Let not his Myrmidons disperse away, 
5 But spake he thus amongst his warlike comrades : 
" Ye swift-horsed Myrmidons, my trusty friends, 
' Not yet release we now our firm-hoofed horses 
i From chariot-yoke ; but forthwith draw we near, 
' With chariots, horse and all, and mourn Patroclus : 
' For of the dead is this the customed honour. 
10 ( And when we 've had our fill of baneful wailing, 
1 Our horses will we loose, and all sup here." 



622 THE ILIAD. XXIII. 

He spake : whereat a mournful dirge together 
Began they ; and Achilles led the way ; 
And weeping, round the corse three times they drave 
Their fair-maned horses : and in all their hearts 
Thetis upstirred a yearning after tears. 
15 Drenched were the sands, and the harness of the men 
Was drenched with tears ; for they did sore regret 
Such Master of dismay. Then thus Peleides, 
Laying his slaughterous hands on his friend's breast, 
Began with veh'ment wailing : " Patroclus ! 

I Ah Me ! Farewell ! e'en in the halls of Hades ! 
20 " All will I now fulfil thee, as erewhile 

I I undertook, to drag yea Hector hither 

' And give our dogs to tear him raw to pieces ; 
'And to behead twelve comely sons of Trojans 
* ' Before thy funeral-pyre, in my fierce wrath 
1 Because of thee cat down." He spake ; and deeds 
Unseemly against prince Hector did he plot, 

25 And laid him stretched, face downwards in the dust 
Beside the bier of Menoitiades : 
Then each and all their brazen gleaming harness 
They doffed, and loosed from yoke the firm-hoofed horses. 
Down then they sat them, countless, by the ship 
Of lord JEacides their foot-swift prince : 
And funeral-banquet plenteous he did give them. 

30 Sleek oxen many a one, as they were slain, 
Lay struggling at the knife, and many a sheep, 
And bleating goats ; and many a white-tusked hog, 
Plump-fat with lard, did lie outstretched a-singeing 
Athwart Hephaistos' flame : and blood was flowing, 
By bowl-fuls, everywhere around the corse. 

35 Meanwhile, with much ado, the Achaian lords 



book W. 623 

Prevailed on him, the foot-swift prince Peleides 

(Wroth as he was at heart about his friend), 

To go with them to godlike Agamemnon. 

And soon as e'er to Agamemnon's hut 

They had come, he forthwith bade his clear-voiced heralds 
40 Set a large tripod on the fire ; in hope 

They haply might persuade Peleides wash 

From off himself the bloody gore. But He 

Stiffly said No, and sware an oath thereon : 
1 No, now by Zeus, of gods both best and highest, 
Not right nor meet is 't, baths come nigh my head, 
Until at least upon his funeral-fire 
45 ' I 've set Patroclus' corse, and heaped his mound, 
And clipped my hair ; for nevermore again 
Unto my heart shall come such grief as this, 
So long as e'er I be amongst the living. 
Yet now forsooth comply we with the custom 
Yea of the feast though hateful : and at morn 
Bid thou, chief of chieftains Agamemnon, 
50 i Both to fetch firewood, and to have all ready, 
Wherewith 't is fitting for the dead to go 
Beneath the shadowy gloom of nether darkness : 
That so the unwearied fire may burn up Him, 
Yea quickly out of sight ; and that our men 
To work may turn again." He spake : w r hereat 

They gave him ready hearing, and complied. 
55 Then speedily they made the supper ready, 

And all did banquet : and of goodly feast 

The soul felt never a lack. And when at length 

They had put away desire of meat and drink, 

For bed went they, each to his several hut : 

But, sobbing heavily, Peleides laid him, 



624 THE ILIAD. XXIII. 

Midst many Myrmidons, upon the beach 
60 Of the loud-roaring sea, in a clear place 

Near where the waves were wont to wash ashore ; 

Then Slumber deep caught hold and overwhelmed him, 

Calming the many troubles of his heart; 

For in his comely limbs full weary was he, 

From his attack on Hector by the Town 

Of windy Ilion. Unto him now came 
65 Luckless Patroclus' ghost, wholly like him 

In height and comely eyes and voice ; and raiment 

Such on its limbs it had : anon it stood 

Above his head, and spake to him this word : 
' Dost sleep ? and hast forgotten me, Achilles ? 
Not indeed me when living didst thou slight ; 
But of me dead thou 'rt careless. Bury me, 
70 ' So with all speed I pass the gates of Hades. 
Off am I driven afar by ghosts, the phantoms 
Of the departed, labour-wearied dead ; 
And me they suffer not beyond the river 
To mix with them ; but still about I wander 
Towards the ample-gated house of Hades. 
And give, I beg with tears, give me that hand ; 
75 ' For nevermore again from out of Hades 

Shall I return, when once ye Ve granted me 
The rights of fire. Ah, no more shall we sit, 
Alive at least, aloof from all our comrades, 
To ponder plans together : but for me 
Yawned has my hateful Destiny, yea She, 
Who, at my birth, had me allotted to her : 
80 ' And, Achilles fashioned like the gods, 
'T is also Thine own Destiny, to perish 
Before the high-born Trojans' wall. Yet else 



book F. 625 

1 1 '11 say, and on thee lay this hest, if haply 
1 Thou wouldst comply, Lay not my bones apart 
1 From thine, Achilles : but as reared together 
1 Within your halls we were, when to your home 
85 * My sire Menoitius brought me, yet a child, 
1 By reason of sad homicide, from Opous, 

I That day when wroth about a game at dice 

I I slaughtered, without forethought or desire, 
' The son of lord Amphidamas ; then kindly 

' The horseman Peleus in his house received 

90 ' And brought me up, and named me squire to thee ; 
' So too then Let one urn enclose the bones 
' Yea of us twain, — that twin-eared golden urn, 
4 Thy lady mother gave thee. ,,# Then in answer 
Spake thus foot-swift Achilles : " Wherefore hither, 
4 Dear honoured head, why hast thou come to me, 

95 ' And why bidst me all this ? but all in full 
1 For thee will I accomplish, and obey thee, 
' As thou dost bid. But here ! stand nearer me ; 
' Let us embrace, an 't were for but a moment, 
4 And take our fill of hapless lamentation." 
So saying, he straight reached forth with loving arms, 

100 But caught not hold : for down below the earth 

The ghost, as 't were a smoke, departed, gibbering. 

Forthwith upsprang Achilles, all astounded, 

And smote his hands together, and outspako 

This mournful word : " Strange ! then sure some 

phantom 
' And ghost there is, and that in Hades' halls, 
1 Yet nevor a whit a bodily heart therein : 

105 ' For by me here did stand, weeping and wailing, 

* See Odyssey, xxiv., 74-77. 

40 



626 THE ILIAD. XXIII. 

' Luckless Patroclus' ghost all night, and on me 

1 Laid every charge ; and wondrous like him 'twas." 

He spake : and sudden yearning after tears 

He stirred within them all : then soon peeped forth 

Kose-fingered Eos on them as they wailed 

Around the piteous corse. Anon, the king 

1 10 Lord Agamemnon urged from forth the huts, 
On every side, both men and mules to forage 
For fire-wood : to the task then started forth 
A gallant man, Meriones, the squire 
Of manly Idomeneus. Then forth they hied, 
With hatchets in their hands for felling wood, 

1 15 And ropes well-twisted : foremost went the mules : 
Then highways, byeways, cross-ways, ups and downs, 
They passed along full many ; # and when at length 
They reached the knolls of many-fountained Ida, 
Then towering oaks forthwith in haste they felled 
With long-edged tool : and down with mighty din 

120 Crashing they fell : anon the Achaians cleft 
And hung them to the mules, whereat apace, 
Eager to reach the plain, picked they their way 
Through the thick brushwood : and the woodmen all 
Did carry logs ; for so Meriones, 
The squire of manly Idomeneus, commanded : 
And down in line they threw them on the shore, 

125 Where a large barrow for his friend Patroclus, 
And for himself, Achilles had devised. 
Now when the fuel, countless, had they cast 
Down all in rank, together then in throngs 
They stayed and sat them down : and now Achilles 

* UoWa r avai/ra, Karayra, irapavra T€, $oxim(* t* t\\0ov } has a marvellous force 
in the original. 



book V. 027 

Ordered his warlike Myrmidons to don 
Their brazen arms, and every one to yoke 

1 30 His horses to the chariot : so they arose, 
And gat them under arms ; and charioteers 
And fighting men beside them mounted up 
On chariot-boards : in forefront went the horsemen, 
And after them a cloud, countless, of foot : 
And comrades in the midst did bear Patroclus. 
Then all the corse they covered o'er with hair, 

135 Which from their heads they clipped and cast upon him : 
Bearing the head, behind came prince Achilles, 
In grief; for speeding was he forth to Hades 
His faultless friend. Now when they had reached the place 
Whereof Achilles gave them intimation, 
There set they down the corse ; and a great pile 
Of wood forthwith they heaped him up. Anon, 

140 The able-footed prince Achilles thought 

On somewhat else : aloof from funeral-pyre 
He stood aside, and clipped from off his head 
His flowing yellow hair, which he did cherish, 
Luxuriant, for the river-god Spercheios : 
Then looking forth upon the purple deep 
Thus spake he, heavy-laden : " Spercheios, 

145 ' To thee in vain my father Peleus vowed 
1 That unto thee my hair should I clip off, 
1 And should perform thee a sacred hecatomb, 
1 On my returning thither, home again 
1 To mv dear fatherland ; and there beside 
' That I should sacrifice thee fifty rams 
1 Before thy springs, where stands thy fragrant altar 

150 ' And sacred field. So vowed the old man my sire, 
4 But Thou dost not accomplish him his thought. 



628 THE ILIAD. XXIII. 

1 So now, since to iny fatherland again 
1 I go not back, I fain would give my hair 
' To be with lord Patroelus." Saying thus, 
In his dear comrade's hands he laid his hair ; 
And raised in all a yearning after tears : 

155 And sure upon their wailing had the light 
Of sun gone down, if unto Agamemnon 
Achilles had not quickly gone and said : 
" Atreides ! (for 'tis thy command most chiefly 
' The Achaian host will heed) we may still have 
1 Our fill of mourning : yet from funeral-pyre 
* Disperse them now, and bid make dinner ready: 

160 t And hereto we '11 attend, to whom most chiefly 
' Belongs the corse's charge : but let the captains 
' Yet stay with us." Now when lord Agamemnon 
Chieftain of chiefs heard this, the host forthwith 
Dispersed he to their gallant ships ; while here 
Stayed the chief mourners, and piled up the wood. 
A hundred feet then long they made the pyre, 

165 All ways ; and grieving sore at heart, they laid 
The corse upon the topmost of the pyre. 
Then goodly sheep, and twist-horned slow-paced beeves, 
Many before the pyre they flayed and dressed ; 
Whereout from all high-souled Achilles took 
The fat, wherewith he covered the dead man, 
From head to foot ; and the flayed carcases 

170 He piled around. Thereon he also set 

Twin-handled jars of unguent and of honey, 
And leaned them 'gainst the bier : and proud-necked norses, 
Four, on the pyre he flung in haste, deep sighing. 
Nine dogs there were, fed from their master's table, 
Belonging to this prince ; and two of these 



book V. 629 

Beheaded he and threw upon the pyre : 

175 Then twelve brave sons of mighty-hearted Trojans ! 
Ah, slaying them with sword I for he did plot 
111 deeds in heart ! and on them he let loose 
The iron rage of fire to feed itself. 
Then out he wailed and called upon his friend : 
" Ah Me, Alas ! fare thou well, Patroclus, 
* Yea in the hous€ of Hades ! everything 

180 ' I '11 now fulfil thee, as ere while I promised. 

' Twelve goodly sons of mighty-hearted Trojans, 

1 All these the fire devours along with Thee : 

' Yet Hector to the fire, Priamides, 

' I '11 no-wise give, but to the dogs to eat." 

So spake he threat ning : Yet the dogs made not 

A meal of Hector : but by day and night 

185 Jove's daughter Aphrodite kept off dogs ; 

And 'nointed him with roseate oil, ambrosial, 
That whoso dragged him might not rend the skin : 
And over him Apollo Phoebus brought 
A lurid cloud that reached from heaven to earth, 
And shrouded all the place entire, where lay 

190 The corse outstretched, lest the Sun's might should parch 
The flesh all round about the limbs and thews. — 
Now dead Patroclus' pyre was not yet kindled. 
Then had the able-footed prince Achilles 
Another thought ; and from the funeral-pyre 
He stood aloof, and to two Winds he prayed, 

195 Boreas and Zephyr, and rich sacrifice 

He promised them ; and then from golden goblet 
Libation large he poured, and prayed them come ; 
That so the wood might speedily be kindled, 
And that with fire the carcases be burned, 



630 THE ILIAD. XXIII. 

All haste : anon, swift Iris heard his prayers, 
And went and bare the message to the Winds. 

200 Now they were all a-feasting at a banquet 
In stormy Zephyr's palace : then came Iris 
In haste and stood upon the stone-hewn threshold. 
And they, as soon as 'fore their eyes they spied her, 
Upstarted all, and each one called her to him : 
But to be seated she in turn declined, 
And spake this word : "No time to sit : for back 

205 l O'er Ocean's streams I'm off to the iEthiops' land, 
6 Where folk are sacrificing hecatombs 
' Unto the Deathless ones, where also I 
' Would be partaker of the sacrifices : 
' But prince Achilles prays both noisy Zephyr 
1 And Boreas to come, and promises 
' Rich sacrifice, that ye may stir the pyre 

210 ' And make it burn, whereon Patroclus lies, 

' O'er whom the Achaians all are sore lamenting." 
So saying away went she : and forth rushed they, 
With uproar wondrous, forcing clouds before them : 
And with a blast soon came they to the deep : 
Then rose the billow 'neath the whistling gale. 

215 The twain reached now the cloddy soil of Troy, 
And beat upon the funeral-pyre, whereat 
Loud roared the fire up-kindled by the gods : 
Shrill did They blow, and all night long kept fanning 
The funeral-pyre's bright blazing flame together : 
And He, the swift Achilles, all night long, 
With twin-cupped goblet in his hand kept drawing 

220 Wine from a golden mixing-bowl and poured it,, 

Libation on the earth, and drenched the ground,—* 
Calling the soul of luckless dead Patroclus. 



BOOK ¥\ 631 

As mourns a father when he burns the bones 

Of his own son of marriageable age, 

Who by his death has grieved his wretched parents ; 

So mourned Achilles, heaving many a sigh, 

225 Crawling along beside the funeral-pyre, 

As his friend's bones he burnt. Now when came forth 

The Morning Star, announcing light on Earth, 

Soon after whom the saffron-mantled Eos 

O'er sea is spread abroad, then died away 

The funeral-fire, and the bright flame was quenched. 

Then back again for home those Winds departed 

230 Over the Thracian Sea, which sobbed again, 

Rushing with swollen wave. Now went Peleides 

Aside elsewhither from the funeral-pyre, 

And laid him down a-wearied, and sweet Sleep 

Came sudden upon him. Meanwhile round Atreides 

The chiefs began to gather all in throng : 

Whose din and noisy tramp, as on they came, 

235 Awakened him ; whereat he raised himself 

And sat upright, and spake this word before them : 

" Atreides, and ye others, chieftain princes 

' Of all the allied Achaians, quench ye first 

1 With sparkling wine the funeral-pyre, the whole, 

1 Where'er the force of fire had hold thereon : 

i And then the bones of Menoitiades 

240 ' Patroclus let us gather ; and from others 

' We well shall mark them, and they 're easy known ; 
' For in mid pyre he lay, and all the others 
' Apart from him were burnt along the edge 
' Pell-mell both men and horses : and his bones 
1 In doubled layer of fat, in golden urn 
1 We 11 treasure, till such time as I myself 



632 THE ILIAD. XXIII. 

245 \ Shall travel down to Hades : and a mound 
' I beg you toil to raise, not passing large, 
' But of just meetness : and the same thereafter 
' Build ye both broad and lofty, you Achaians, 
i Whoe'er may after me be left survivors 
' Amongst the many-oared ships." He spake : and they 
Forthwith complied with Peleus' foot-swift son. 

250 Foremost with sparkling wine they throughly quenched 
The funeral-pyre, where'er the flame had been, 
And thick had fall'n the ashy heap : then weeping 
They gathered up their kind friend's whitened bones, 
Into a golden urn, and doubled fat : 
In camp-hut then they laid, and covered them 
With fine white linen : then they rounded off 

255 A burial-mound ; whereof they laid foundations 
Jutting beyond, all round the fyneral-pyre : 
The earth out-thrown then straightway heaped they up, 
And having heaped the mound they hied them back. 
And now Achilles there kept back the host, 
And in large compass made them sit around : 
Prizes of contest then from out his galleys, 

260 Caldrons and tripods brought he, and of oxen 
Many a sturdy head, and mules and horses, 
And comely-girdled women and grizzly iron. 
Foremost for horsemen, foot-swift chariot-fighters, 
He put forth brilliant prizes ; for the first, 
To carry off a woman, blemishless, 
In handiwork well-skilled, and an eared tripod 

265 Of two and twenty measures : for the next, 

Forth put he a mare, of six years' age, unbroken, 
With mule-foal in her womb : then for the third, 
A caldron, fair, untouched as yet by fire, 



BOOK V. 



633 



Holding four measures, put he down for prize, 
All spick and span as ever : then of gold 
Two talents' weight down set he for the fourth : 
270 For fifth he set a double-handled bowl, 

Untouched by fire : then up he stood and spake 
This word among the Argives : " Atreides, 
And all ye fair-greaved Argives ! here in midst 
Prizes of contest ready for the horsemen 
Are set before you : sure were now we Achaians 
Contending here in honour of some other, 
275 ' Then win should I forsooth those foremost prizes, 
And take them to my hut. For well ye know, 
How my two horses far excel in prowess : 
For Deathless are they : and Poseidon gave them 
Unto my father Peleus, and in turn 
He into my hands put them. Yet indeed 
I '11 not stir here, nor shall my firm-hoofed horses : 
280 ' For Ah ! they 've lost his gallant mightiness 

Their kindly charioteer, who with bright water 
Full many a time did wash their flowing manes, 
And poured the liquid oil thereon. They twain 
Stand still and mourn for Him ; and on the ground 
Are stayed their drooping manes ; and sad at heart 
Still stand they twain : But get ye all now ready 
285 ' Throughout the host, whoever of the Achaians 
Puts trust in horses and in well-built chariots." 
So spake Peleides : then arose swift horsemen : 
Far first, a princely chief of men upstarted, 
Eumelos, lord Admetos' loving son, 
Who in chariot-horsemanship had passing skill . # 
290 Next started up bold Diomed Tydeides, 

* For the breed of his mares, see Book ii., 764, etc. 



634 THE ILIAD. XXIII. 

And led beneath the yoke those Trojan horses, 

Which on a time he wrested from iEneas ; 

But by Apollo was their master rescued. 

Next him arose the Jove-sprung # prince Atreides, 

Yellow-haired Menelaus, and swift horses 

He led beneath the yoke, " Blazer," a mare, 

295 Belonging to his brother Agamemnon, 

And u Whitefoot" his own horse : to Agamemnon 

Lord Echepolos Anchisiades 

Erst gave the mare as bribe, that he might stay 

At home and there be merry, and not follow 

The Chieftain to the walls of windy Ilion ; 

For great wealth Zeus had giv'n him ; and he dwelt 

300 At roomy Sicyon. Under the yoke 
Now led he her, full eager for the race. 
Then fourth, Antilochus, the comely son 
Of gallant-hearted Nestor lord Neleides, 
Harnessed his fine-maned horses : bred at Pylos, 
Swift-footed horses were they drew his car : 
Now near beside him came and stood his father, 

305 And thus with forethought for his good addressed him, 
Yea him full wary : " Sure, Antilochus, 
' Zeus and Poseidon likewise have loved Thee, 
' Young howsoe'er thou art, and have taught Thee 
' All manner of horsemanship and charioteering : 
' So no great need to teach thee. For thou knowest 
1 Well how to turn about the doubling-post : 

310 ' But yet at running, slowest are thy horses ; 
' Wherefore I also fear shall be sad failure : 
1 Their horses are indeed more fleet, yet sure 
1 More shrewdness have not they, than thou thyself, 

* For the reason of his being called Jove-sprung, see Odyss., Book iy., 561-569. 



BOOK V. 



635 



315 



In management. Then come, I pr'ythee, dear, 

Lay thou to heart all manner of crafty skill, 

That so yon prizes from thy grasp 'scape not. 

By craft the woodman sure is far more able, 

Than by sheer strength : by craft again the pilot 

Steers the swift galley, shattered by the winds, 

Straight o'er the purple deep : and 'tis by craft 

A charioteer surpasses charioteer : 

While one who trusts but in his car and horses, 

Abroad is whirled, recklessly here and there, 

And up the course his horses wander wide, 

Nor does he keep them to it : but one who knows 

A trick or so, though driving worser horses, 

Has ever an eye upon the turning-post, 

And close wheels round ; nor does it 'scape his notice, 

When first in hand to draw with oxhide reins ; 

But firm he holds unfalteringly, and keeps 

A narrow watch on him that has the start. 

Now a mark right easy to be known I '11 tell thee, 

Nor shall it 'scape thy notice : above ground, 

Stands a dry timber-stock, full fathom high, 

Either of oak, or fir, the which indeed 

By rain becomes not rotten : two white stones 

Are planted by, on either side thereof, 

At meeting of two roads : and on both sides 

Is a smooth chariot-road : either a token 

Of some one long since dead, or 'twas mayhap 

A race-course mark in days of men of yore : 

And now the able-footed prince Achilles 

Makes it the turning-post : there close drive Thou 

Chariot and horses, even to shaving it ; 

And on thy wicker-wrought strong chariot-side 



636 THE ILIAD. XXIII. 

i Lean thyself slightly towards the left hand horse ; 

' Then to the off-horse shout and prick him on, 

1 And with free hand give up the rein to Mm : 

' But let thy near horse shave sharp round the post, 

1 So that thy w T ell-wrpught wheel-nave seems to graze it; 

340 i And yet avoid the taking of the stone, 

1 Lest haply shalt thou hurt thereby thy horses, 

1 And break the car to pieces ; a delight 

' To all these others thus, but to thyself 

1 Disgrace 'twould be : but, my dear, be thou wary, 

1 And take good heed : for if but at the post 

1 Thou shalt by coachmanship drive past the others, 

345 ' There is not one, — rush after how he may, 
i Shall either pass, or catch thee ; no indeed, 
' Not were he haply driving in thy rear 
1 Adrastus' swift-paced horse, divine Areion, 
' Who drew his high-bred blood-race from a god ; 
' Or those brave horses of Laomedon, 
1 Which here were bred." So saying, in place again 

350 Neleides Nestor sat him, when to his son 

He had told each matter's end. Anon the fifth, 
Meriones, his fair-maned horses harnessed. 
Now mounted they their chariots, and cast lots : 
Achilles shook them : and forth leaped the lot 
Of Nestor's son Antilochus : next him, 
The prince Eumelos drew the lucky lot : 

355 And next, spear-famed Atreides Menelaus : 
Meriones had next the lot for driving : 
And last, although by far the best, Tydeides 
Had hindmost luck for starting forth his horses. 
All now in row they took their standing-place ; 
The turning-posts Achilles pointed out, 



book V. 637 

Far on the smooth clear plain ; and placed thereby 

360 His father's squire as marksman, godlike Phoenix, 
That to the running he should pay good heed, 
And give true tale thereof. Anon together 
Over their horses they all raised their whips, 
And smote with lash, and cheered them too with words* 
In eager haste : and swiftly o'er the plain, 

365 Soon from the ships afar, made they their way : 
And 'neath their chests the dust did rise uplifted, 
Like as a cloud, or whirlwind : and their manes 
Did stream all waving with the blasts of wind : 
And now the cars did sink to bosky earth, 
And now they leapt again up high in air ; 
And on their chariot-boards did stand those drivers ; 

370 And each man's heart beat loud full fain to win : 
And loud they shouted each one to his horses, 
And fly did they all dusting o'er the plain. 
But when towards the hoary sea again 
The swift-paced horses 'gan perform last running, 
Then sure the prowess of each one appeared, 

375 And strained to the utmost was the horses' pace : 
Then quickly did those nimble-footed mares 
Of Pheretiades # bear him a-head. 
A-head next after them, the Trojan stallions, 
Diomed's horses brought him ; and aloof 
No great way were they, but full nigh at hand ; 
For aye the twain seemed like to mount his chariot : 

380 Hot with their breath did grow Eumelos' back 

And his broad shoulders ; for they put their heads 
Upon him as they flew along : and sure, 
Either driv'n past had now their charioteer, 

* Eumelos, so called after Ms grandsire. 



638 THE ILIAD. XXIII. 

Or drawn a doubtful race, but that a grudge 

Apollo Phoebus bare the son of Tydeus, 

And smote the splendid whip from out his grasp : 

385 Whereat tears gushed from forth his eyes for wrath, 
At seeing those mares now hieing e'en yet faster, 
While his own horses, now without a spur, 
Were slackened in their running. Yet indeed 
Not did Apollo cheat Tydeides thus 
Without Athene's notice : so she rushed 
After the pastor of his host right swiftly, 

390 Gave him his whip, and put strength into his horses. 
Then angry hied she to Admetus' son, 
And snapped in twain his mares' cross-bar ; whereat 
Out of the road his mares did run asunder, 
And to the ground w r as rolled his chariot-pole. 
From out the car too he himself rolled headlong 
Beside the wheel, and had the skin all torn 

395 From off his elbows, and his mouth, and nostrils, 
And battered was his forehead at the brows ; 
And both his eyes were filled with tears, and choked 
Was all his manly voice. Meanwhile Tydeides, 
Turning aside, springing far forth a-head 
Beyond them all, drave on his firm-hoofed horses ; 

400 For strength Athene put within his horses, 
And gave to him the glory. Next to him, 
Yellow-haired Menelaus, Atreus' son, 
Held on his way. Antilochus, meanwhile, 
Thus to his father's horses called aloud : 
" Go on ! yea you, Hie on, with all best speed ! 
' Not indeed do I bid ye vie with Those, 

405 ' Doughty Tydeides' horses, unto whom 
* ' Athene now has granted passing swiftness, 



book W. 639 

1 And giv'n to Him the glory : but, Hie on, 
1 O'ertake Atreides' horses ; and ye twain, 
1 Be ye not left behind ; then On I lest Blazer, 
i And that a mare, o'erwhelm ye with disgrace ! 
1 Why, my bravest, are ye left behind ? 
HO ' For this I'll tell ye and sure 't shall come to pass ; 

* No longer kindly care shall be bestowed 
1 On you by Nestor pastor of his people, 

• But with sharp knife he'll forthwith kill ye both, 
4 If worse prize win we through your carelessness : 
' Then Hie ye on together and Haste, all speed ! 
' Yet I myself must deftly manage here, 

115 ' And in yon narrow-looking road take heed 

' To slip a-head ; nor shall it 'scape my notice." 
He spake : and of their master's round reproof 
Somewhat were they afraid, and on still faster 
Ran they a little while ; when suddenly 
Antilochus, the staunch in battle, saw 
A strait hard passage of the hollowed road : 

420 A gullied gap it was of the earth, where water, 
Pent up in winter-time, had rent away 
Part of the road, and scooped the place all deep : 
By this lord Menelaus now 'gan driving, 
To shun a clash of wheels. But along-side 
Turned had Antilochus his firm-hoofed horses 
Out of the road, and now was driving hard ; 

425 And off but slightly aside he chased along. 
Afeared then was Atreides, and called out 
Thus to Antilochus : " Antilochus ! 
1 Thou drivest recklessly : but check thy horses ! 
1 For narrow is the road : in wider way 
1 Soon shalt thou drive beside me : else perchance 



640 THE ILIAD. XXIII. 

' Shalt strike against my car, and harm us both." 

430 He spake : whereat Antilochus drave yet 
Faster and faster still, and pricked them on, 
Making as though he heard not : and as far 
As reach the boundaries of a quoit flung forth 
From shoulder, when a lusty wight may launch it, 
For trial of youthful strength, so far they twain 
Raced on : Atreides' horses then held back ; 

435 For wittingly he slackened now his driving, 

Lest haply in the road their firm-hoofed horses 
Should jostle, and upset their fair-wov'n cars, 
And they themselves, through eagerness for winning, 
Should tumble in the dust. At him howe'er 
Yellow-haired Menelaus railed and said : 
"Antilochus! of all mankind none else 

440 ' Is mischievous as thou : Go, get thee gone ! 
6 For sure we Achaians said — but never truly — 
' That thou wast wise. Nathless i' faith not so 
i Shalt thou bear off the prize without an oath." 
So saying, he cheered his horses, and spake out : 
" Now my nags, Hold not back, nor Halt heart-grieved. 
' A-wearied will be legs and knees with them, 

445 i Far sooner than with you ; for mark of youth 

' They've both long lost." He spake : whereat afraid 
Were they then somewhat at their master's chiding, 
And ran on faster, and soon neared the others. 
Meanwhile, in throng down-sitting were the Argives 
To see the racers, as they flew along 
Bedusting o'er the plain. Idomeneus, 

450 The Cretans' chief, now foremost spied the horses : 
For highest sat he in a look-out place 
Outside the assembled throng : anon he heard 



BOOK W. 641 

One shouting yet afar, and knew the voice : 
And now he kenned a horse right clear a-head, 
One that for most part also was bright bay, 
But a white mark, round as the moon, there was 

455 Betwixt the eyes : then upright stood the chief 

And thus addressed the Achaians : " my friends, 
1 Captains and guardian princes of the Argives ! 
1 Is 't only / alone behold the horses, 
1 Or see ye too ? to me seem other horses 
' To be ahead, and other eharioteer 

460 ' Appears the first : sure somewhere on yon plain 
' Disabled are those mares, which were indeed 
1 The foremost thitherward : for yea I saw 
' They were a-head in dashing round the post, 
i But nowhere can I spy them now, though peering 
' On all sides are mine eyes, as forth 1 look 
1 Upon the Trojan plain : or else the reins 

465 ' Have 'scaped the driver's grasp, and round the post 
' Not could he hold them well in hand, and so 
' Made no good hit in turning : yea I fear 
'jFairn has he out, and broken his car in pieces ; 
1 And from the course his mares have swerved aside, 
4 Since furiousness gat hold upon their spirit. 
4 But stand up e'en yourselves and look ; for I, 

470 ' I mark not plain : to me howe'er it seems 
1 To be the warrior-chief, JEtolian born, 
4 One who among the Argive race bears rule, 
4 The horseman Tydeus' son, bold Diomed." 
Hereat Oileus' son, the nimble Ajax, 
Chid him thus hideously : " Idomeneus ! 
4 Why prate so fast before the time ? sure yonder 

475 ' Far o'er the plain those lofty-stepping mares 

41 



642 THE ILIAD. XXIII. 

1 Are speeding on : and not so much the youngest 
' Among the Achaians art thou ; nor the sharpest 
1 Look those two eyes abroad from forth thy head : 

* But prating art thou evermore with tales ; 
1 And yet for thee to be such hasty talker 

' Is no great need ; for others here e'en abler 
480 ' Are ready at hand. But foremost are those mares, 
' E'en as at first they were, Eumelos' mares, 

* And he himself mounted with reins in hand." 
In wrath then answered him the Cretans' leader : 
" Ajax ! most brave in taunts, foolish in counsel ! 
1 And 'neath the Achaians art thou in all beside, 

i For that thy heart is fro ward. Now come on ! 

485 i A wager stake we, of tripod or of caldron ; 
1 And make we both Atreides Agamemnon 
1 Judge, whether foremost are those mares : and so 
' Learn shalt thou to thy cost." He spake : whereat 
Oileus' son, swift Ajax, straight arose 
In wrath, to answer him with angry words ; 

490 And sure now strife 'twixt both had gone yet further, 
Had not Achilles started up himself 
And said a word : " Have now no more exchanges 
1 Of troublous angry words, Idomeneus, 
1 And Ajax ; for indeed 'tis not becoming : 
' And sure indignant were ye with another, 
' Whoe'er should so behave : but in the assembly 

495 ' Sit ye both down and look ye at the horses : 
1 And they, full fain for victory themselves, 
1 Will soon be here ; and each of you 11 know then 

* The Argives' horses, which first, and which second." 
He spake : and now Tydeides drew full near 
Driving, and aye did lash with whip at shoulder ; 



book W. 64:3 

500 And those his horses proud on high did bear them, 
Swift finishing their course : and soil and dust 
Fell thick and fast upon their charioteer; 
And following close behind the foot-swift horses 
His car did run along, all covered thick 
With gold and tin : and not much chariot-track 

505 Of tires was left behind in the fine dust, 

So eager flew they twain : and now he stopped 

In mid assembly ; and down upon the ground 

Apace gushed forth again the horses' sweat 

From chest and neck. Down from his beaming chariot 

Now sprang the chief to the earth, and forthwith set 

510 His whip against the yoke. Nor idle now 
Was doughty Sthenelos, # but on the prize 
Laid eager hold, and gave his high-souled comrades 
To lead away the woman, and to take 
The twin-eared tripod : then from 'neath the yoke 
Loosed he the horses. Next now after Him 
Antilochus Neleides drave his horses, 

)15 The second, having outstripped Menelaus, 
No-wise indeed by swiftness, but by craft : 
Close by, nathless, did Menelaus drive 
His nimble horses : far as from the wheel 
A horse keeps off, when stretching o'er the plain 
Full pace he draws his master in his chariot ; 
And ever and anon his outmost tail 

520 Touches the wheel-tire, and the wheel rolls on 
Full near, and not much space is there between, 
A3 o'er the plain he runs along ; so far 
Behind the blemishless Antilochus 
Was Menelaus ; though at first indeed 

* Diomed's trusty comrade and squire. 



644 THE ILIAD. XXIII. 

Left had he been a full quoit's cast behind ; 
Yet soon he reached him ; for the gallant spirit 

525 Of "Blazer" Agamemnon's fine-maned mare, 
Was waxing strong : and had the race for both 
Been further yet, then sure he had driv'n past Him, 
And had not left the mastery in dispute. 
Left then, behind the far-famed Menelaus, 
About a spear's throw, was Meriones, 
Idomeneus' good squire : his fine-maned horses 

530 Were much the slowest, and for chariot-race 
Himself was gentlest of them all in driving. 
Hindmost of all then came Admetos' son, 
Dragging his beauteous car, and on before him 
Driving his mares : anon, at sight hereof, 
For him the able-footed prince Achilles 
Felt pity, and forthwith among the Argives 

535 Upstood he, and outspake these winged words : 
" Driving his firm-hoofed mares, last man is this, 
i And yet the best : but come now give we him 
6 This prize, e'en as 't is meet, the second best ; 
'And let Tydeides carry off the first." 
He spake : and as he bade, they all agreed : 
And sure the mare to him he now had given ; 

540 For the Argives gave assent ; had not the son 
Of high-souled Nestor, prince Antilochus, 
Upstood with rightful cause, and thus replied 
To Peleus' son Achilles : " Achilles, 
' If thou fulfil this word, wroth shall I be 
' Full sore with thee ; for thus my prize of contest 
' Thou purposest to take away, i th' thought, 

545 ' How that his chariot and swift mares were stopped, 
' And He the worthy one : but to the Deathless 



BOOK W. 



645 



i He ought to ve prayed, then sure not last of all 
' Had he come driving in. But if thou feelest 
1 Pity for him, and to thy soul 't is pleasant, — 
' Much gold in hut hast thou, and brass ; and cattle, 

550 ' And womenslaves hast thou, and firm-hoofed horses : 
1 Take and give Him a prize, and that a greater, 
' Of these, hereafter, or even now at once, 
* As the Argives give assent. But not this mare 
1 Freely will / give up. For her howe'er 
1 Let any man who wishes try his luck 
1 At fisticuffs and fight with me." He spake : 

555 Then smiled the able-footed prince Achilles, 
Pleased with Antilochus, for that he was 
His loving friend ; and thus in winged words 
He answered him and said : " Antilochus ! 
1 Now if from out my hut some other matter 
' Thou bidst me give Eumelos, I forsooth 
' Will do even so : a corslet will I give him, 

560 ' The one I stripped from off Asteropaios ; # 
1 A brazen corslet, round the edge whereof 
1 Is rolled a circling stream of glittering tin ; 
1 And of much worth 'twill be to him." He spake, 
And bade his trusty friend Automedon 
Go fetch it from his hut : anon went he, 
And brought it him ; whereat Achilles put it 

565 Into Eumelos' hands ; and he, well-pleased, 
Accepted it. Amongst them now arose 
Lord Menelaus also, sore at heart, 
Furiously wroth against Antilochus : 
Into his hands a herald put the sceptre, 
And forthwith bade the Argives all keep silence : 

* See Book xxi., 183. 



646 THE ILIAD. XXIII. 

Then thus the godlike prince outspake before them : 

570 " Antilochus, erewhile of prudent spirit ! 

1 What manner of dealing here was thine ? My prowess 
1 Tarnished hast thou, by stopping me my horses, 
i Throwing before me those, thine own, far worser. 
' But come ye, Chiefs and Leaders of the Achaians, 
' Judge ye 'twixt both, 7 fore all, and not with favour : 

575 * Lest haply some one 'mongst the brass-mailed Argives 
' Should say, "By dint of lies has Menelaas 
" O'er-reached Antilochus, and so walks off 
u Taking the mare from him, for that his horses 
"Are much the worser, but himself the better 
" In prowess and in might." But an ye will, 
' Judge will I be myself, and none, I ween, 

580 / Of all the Danaans will herein rebuke me ; 
i For judgment shall be fair : Antilochus ! 
1 Come hither, an thou wilt, prince, as 'tis right, — 
1 Stand Tore my car and horses, — hold in hand 
6 Thy taper whip, wherewith erewhile thou dravest ; 
' Then of the horses lay thou hold, and Swear 
1 By the Earth-Compasser, who Shakes the Land, 

585 ' That wittingly by trick thou didst not think 
' To hamper this my car." In prudent spirit 
Antilochus then answered him again : 
" Now bear with me ; for I, prince Menelaus, 
1 Am much thy younger ; and in age art thou, 
6 And every way, my better. Thou know r st well, 
6 What manner of trespasses a young man's are : 

590 i For indeed more than hasty is his mind, 

6 And weak his wit. Let then thy heart forbear : 
' And freely I'll give thee the mare I've won ; 
' And didst thou ask for some yet greater thing 



book V. 647 

1 Of mine in hut, sure readily at once 

* I willingly would give it thee, prince, 
i Rather than from thy heart for all my days 

595 i To be cast out, and 'gainst the gods a sinner." 
So saying, the high-souled son of Nestor led 
And put the mare in Menelaus' hands. 
Hereat his mood was melted, like as 't were 
The dew upon the ears of growing crop, 
When corn-fields bristle : even so was melted 

600 The mood within thy heart, Menelaus. 

Then unto him he spake these winged words, 
And said: "Antilochus, I now indeed 
4 Myself will give up being wroth with thee ; 
' For never a whit beside thyself, nor witless, 
' Aforetime wast thou ; and 'twas youthfulness 

* Now gat the mast'ry of thine understanding : 

605 ( But henceforth shun thou playing tricks on betters : 
i For sure none other man of all the Achaians 
' Had quickly won me over. Thou howe'er 
4 For my sake hast already borne much toil, 

* And hardship much, as thy good sire has also, 

4 And brother : wherefore to thy prayer 1 11 yield me ; 

* Yea and the mare, mine though she be, 1 11 give thee, 
610 ' That e'en all here may know, that never hard 

1 And overbearing is my heart." He spake, 

And gave Antilochus' good friend Noemon 

To lead away the mare : then the bright caldron 

Took He for prize. And fourth, Meriones, 

As in the race fourth best he had driv'n, bare off 

Two talents' weight of gold : # thus the fifth prize 

* Gold was valued at not more than about ten times as much brass. See Book vi., 
line 236. 



648 THE ILIAD. XXIII. 

615 Was left, the double-handled bowl ; # so this 

Achilles carried through the throng of Argives, 
And gave to Nestor, and accosted him : 
" Here now, mine ancient Sir, and thine be this, 
' A treasured keepsake, for memorial-token 
i Of my Patroclus' burial : for no more 

620 ' Him shalt thou see 'mongst Argives : and this prize 
1 Here unto thee I freely give, even so ; 
i For not in boxing-match wilt thou contend, 
' Nor run in foot-race, neither wilt thou wrestle, 
1 Nor enter javelin-match forsooth ; for Eld 
' Already presses hard on thee." So saying, 
He put it into his hands ; and he, well pleased, 

625 Accepted it, and spake these winged words : 

" Yea now all this, my son, thou say'st right fitly ; 
1 For firm, my dear, no longer are these limbs, 
c These legs, nor do these arms on either side 
1 Move nimbly at my shoulders as of yore. 
1 that I were as young, and that my strength 
' Were all as firm as erewhile, when the Epeians 

630 ' Buried king Amarynceus, in Buprasium ; 

' Where many a prize of contest in his honour 
' Was offered by his sons : equal to me 
' Was no man there, no, neither of Epeians, 
' Nor e'en of Pylians, nor high-souled ^Etolians. 
1 The son of Enops, Clytomed, I mastered 
' In boxing ; and in wrestling-match, Ancaios, 

635 i Pleuronian chieftain, who upstood against me : 
1 Then in the foot-race I out-ran Iphiclus, 
6 Good runner though he was : at throw with spear 
' Phyleus I beat, as well as Polydorus. 

* See above, line 270. 



BOOK W. 



649 



1 In chariot-race alone, Actor's two sons 

1 Drave past me, and with odds dashed on a-head, 

' With envious eyes upon the mastery, 

640 i For that the greatest prizes yet remained 

1 Upon the ground for contest :— twins were They ; 

1 One kept the reins in hand unceasingly, 

1 The reins in hand unceasingly, and the other 

1 Did urge meanwhile with whip. Such was I once, 

1 But now let younger men attack such doings : 

1 Me it behoves to yield to stern old Age ; 

645 ( Though sure 'mongst heroes was I then distinguished, 
1 But go and pay due honours to thy friend 

I With fun'ral games. And this with willing soul 

I I here accept ; and joyful is my heart, 

1 For that my kindly thought towards thee ever 
1 Thou bear'st in mind ; nor is't unseen by thee, 
1 In what esteem 'tis fitting I be held 

650 'Amongst the Achaians. May the gods give Thee 
1 An ample recompense for all this kindness." 
He spake : and through the Achaians' numerous throne 
Peleides went his way, w T hen thus he had listened 
To all Neleides' tale. And prizes now 
For painsome boxing put he forth : he led 
A drudgery-bearing mule, of six years' age, 

655 Unbroken, such as is most hard to break, 

And tethered her in midst before the assembly : 
Then set he for the one that should be mastered 
A twin-cupped goblet. Up forthwith he stood, 
And spake this word among the assembled Argives : 
" Atreides \ and ye fair-greaved Argives all ! 
1 For these, we bid two men, the choicest boxers, 

660 ' To hold up fists and box withal in earnest : 



650 



THE ILIAD. XXIII. 



1 And unto whichsoever shall Apollo 

' Grant longest staunchness, and the Achaians here 

' Shall all acknowledge it, let hirn to his hut 

' Return with prize of drudgery-bearing mule : 

1 And he who's mastered here shall bear away 

1 The twin-cupped goblet. " Spake he thus : whereat 

665 Forthwith arose a man, both stout and tall, 
Panopeus' son Epeios, skilled in boxing : 
Of drudgery-bearing mule then took he hold, 
And out spake thus : " Let now the man draw nigh, 
9 Whoe'er would carry off the twin-cupped goblet, 
' For of the Achaians none, methinks, at boxing 
i Shall master me, and carry off the mule ; 

670 ' For herein do I boast to be the best. 

' Is't not enough, in battle-field I'm lacking? 
' For no-wise can a man forsooth be knowing 
' In every business. This howe'er I'll say, 
1 And sure 't shall also come to pass : outright 
1 I '11 crack his skin, and shatter all his bones : 
1 So here at hand let all his friends remain 

675 ' To tend his burial, and to bear him forth, 

' Mastered beneath my hands." He spake : whereat 
Speechless became they all in stilly silence. 
Save only against him rose Euryalos, 
A godlike man, the son of lord Mecisteus 
Telaion's son : to Thebes erewhile went He 
Unto the funeral-feast of QEdipus, 

680 Fallen in battle : and he there o'ermastered 
All the Cadmeians in the funeral games. 
About him now the spear-famed son of Tydeus 
With kindly care and cheering words was busy, 
.For much he wished the mastery should be his. 



BOOK W. 651 

A wrapper first he handed him ; then straps, 
Well-cut, from hide of field-fed ox, he gave him. 

6S5 And now, when both had girded up their loins, 
Into the mid assembly came the twain : 
Then up with sturdy hands at one another 
Both faced at once, and straightway fell together; 
And in close fight their heavy hands were mingled : 
Anon arose a rattling crash of jaws, 
And sweat did stream on all sides from their limbs : 

690 Now prince Epeios darted on his man, 

And smote him on the cheek while peering round ; 

Whereat forsooth no great while stood he longer, 

For on the spot his bright limbs fell beneath him : 

Sudden as when, at rippling sweep of Boreas, 

A fish upon the weedy seashore bounces, 

And straight the dark wave covers him : so bounced 

Euryalos at being struck : anon, 

High-souled Epeios took him in his arms, 

Aud raised him up : then round stood loving friends, 

Who through the assembly led him, spitting out 

Thick blood, dropping his head on either side, 

His legs behind him trailing : so they led 

And down amongst them seated him, stunned senseless : 

700 Then went they and took in charge his twin-cupped goblet. 
Anon Peleides put forth further prizes, 
The third, and set them out before the Danaans, 
For painsome wrestling ; for the one that mastered, 
A tripod, large, for standing on the fire ; 
And niongst themselves the Achaians valued it 
At twelve steers' worth ; then for the vanquished man, 

705 A woman set he forth in midst ; and skilled 

In many a work she was : and her they valued 



652 THE ILIAD. XXIII. 

At four steers' worth : now up he stood and spake 
This word before the Argives : " Rise ye now, 
c Whoe'er would try your luck for this prize also." 
He spake : whereat huge Telamonian Ajax 
Upstarted to his feet : up also arose 

710 Odusseus ever-ready, skilled in tricks : 

Their loins the twain now girded up, and stepped 
In mid assembly, and each with sturdy hands 
Caught hold and soon was locked in 't other's arms : 
E'en like some lofty dwelling's answering rafters, 
Such as a famous architect fits close, 
To shun the force of winds : and sure their backs 

715 Did creak again, pulled stubbornly along 

Through stalwart arms, and down did stream damp sweat : 
And many a swollen whelk, dark red with blood, 
Uprose about their ribs as well as shoulders : 
And ever bent on mastery sure were they, 
To win the fair-wrought tripod : but Odusseus 
Could not trip up and bring hi3 man to the earth : 

720 Neither could Ajax ; for Odusseus' force 

Held firm and staunch : but when at length hereat 
The fair-greaved Argives 'gan to be a-wearied, 
Then thus the son of Telamon, huge Ajax, 
Accosted him : " Prince Laertiades, 
1 Odusseus ever-ready, or Lift up Me, 
' Or I will thee ; and then whate'er betide 

725 ' Shall be Jove's care." So saying, he lifted him : 
Then did Odusseus not forget a trick : 
But nicked him just in bend behind the knee, 
And loosed his limbs below, and backwards felled him, 
Upon whose breast down also pitched Odusseus : 
Then gazed the folk, and were withal astonied. 



BOOK W. 



653 



Anon the much-enduring prince Odusseus 

730 In his turn tried to lift, and from the Earth 
A bit indeed he moved him, but aloft 
Upheaved him not ; then in he bent his knee ; 
Whereat beside each other down fell both 
Upon the earth, and were defiled with dust. 
Then starting up again they sure had wrestled 
For the third bout, had not the prince Achilles 

735 Himself upstood and checked them : " Strive no more, 
i Nor wear yourselves with bruises : to you both 
' Belongs the mast'ry, so with equal prizes 
1 Withdraw ye both, that other Argives also 
' May now contend.'' He spake : whereat forthwith 
They gave him ready hearing, and complied : 
And when they twain had wiped the dust from off them, 

740 They straightway donned their coats. Anon Peleides 
Put other prizes forth for passing swiftness, 
To wit, a fair-wrought silver mixing-bowl : 
It held six measures ; and throughout the world 
Did far excel in beauty ; for Sidonians 
Of their great skill had quaintly fashioned it ; 
And o'er the darksome sea Phoenician men 

745 Had brought and landed it in port, and giv'n it 
As gift to Thoas : then Jasonides 
Euneos gave it up as ransom-price 
To lord Patroclus for Priamides 
Lycaon. Now Achilles put forth this 
In honour of his friend, as prize of contest, 
For whoso should be nimblest with swift feet. 

750 Then for the second put he forth an ox, 

Large and full plump with fat : and for the last 
He set forth half a talent's weight of gold. 



654 THE ILIAD. XXIII. 

Up then he stood and spake this word to the Argives : 
" Arise now ye, who at this contest also 
' Will try your luck." He spake : and straight arose 
Oileus' son, swift Ajax : up stood also 

755 Odusseus ever-ready, and Nestor's son, 
Antilochus, for wont was he to outstrip 
The young men all in foot-race : now in row 
They took their stand; and goal-marks of the race 
Achilles pointed out : so now before them 
Outstretching lay their course from starting line. 
Then forth Oileus' son soon shot a-head ; 

760 And full near after him rushed prince Odusseus ; 
Like as a weaving-rod is near the bosom 
Of a fair-girdled woman, when she pulls it 
Full deftly with her hands, for drawing out 
The quill beside her warp-thread; and she holds it 
Close by her bosom ; so close ran Odusseus ; 
And trod behind with feet yea in his track, 

765 Before the dust was thrown up round about : 
And panting forth upon his very head 
Was prince Odusseus, ever running swiftly : 
And shout did all the Achaians loud applause 
At such desire for mastery, and did urge him 
As eager on he sped. But when at length 
They 'gan perform last running, then Odusseus 

770 Prayed in his heart thus to bright-eyed Athene : 
" Goddess, Give ear ! come quick, a kindly helper 
' To my two feet ! " So spake he praying : wherein 
Pallas Athene heard him : and she made 
His limbs all nimble, legs, and arms above. 
And now when thinking were they soon to rush 
And seize upon the prize,— just then in running 



BOOK W. 



655 



775 Ajax' foot slipped, for Athene tripped him up, 

Just where was dropped the dung of bellowing beeves, 

The slaughtered beeves foot-swift Achilles killed 

In honour of Patroclus : and full smeared 

With ox-dung was he, both his mouth and nostrils. 

So now the much-enduring prince Odusseus, 

As coming foremost, took the mixing-bowl ; 

780 And winner of the ox was he, bright Ajax. 
The field-fed bullock's horn then in his hands 
He took and stood, out-sputtering dung the while ; 
Then spake he to the Achaians : " now strange ! 
1 Sure hindered me a-foot has here the goddess, 
i Who, like a mother, stands Odusseus' friend 
1 And helps him ever." Spake he thus : whereat, 

785 Jollily laughed they at him one and all. 
Anon then with a smile Antilochus 
Bare off the prize awarded for the last, 
And spake this word to the Argives : " To you all 
1 This will I say, although ye wot full well, 
' How still even now, the Deathless ones put honour 
' On the more ancient folk ; for sure my elder 

790 ' Somewhat is Ajax; and of age yet. older 
1 Is this man here, and one of the older folk ; 
1 But he's a hale old man, they say ; and hard, 
' Save for Achilles, is it for the Achaians 
' To strive with him in foot-speed." Spake he thus, 
And gladdened by his praise foot-swift Peleides. 
Anon Achilles answered him and said : 

795 " Sure not in vain for thee, Antilochus, 

1 Spoken shall be this praise, but add will I 
1 Half-talent unto thee yet more of gold." 
So saying, he put it into his hands : and He 



656 THE ILIAD. XXIII. 

With joy accepted it. Anon, Peleides 

Brought and laid down before the assembled throng 

A long-helved spear, and shield, and crested helm, 

800 The harness of Sarpedon, which from him 

Patroclus erewhile stripped : now up he stood, 
And spake this word amid the assembled Argives : 
" For these, we bid two men, whoe'er are choicest 
1 To don their arms, and take flesh-wounding weapon, 
1 And here to put each other to the proof 
1 Before the assembly : whoso of the twain 

805 i Shall first reach comely skin, and touch inside 

i Through harness and dark blood, to him I'll give 

1 This goodly silver-studded Thracian sword, 

1 Which from Asteropaios erst I wrested : 

' And both shall take these arms as prize in common 

1 And for them in my camp-hut I '11 set forth 

810 ' A gallant feast." He spake : then straight arose 
Huge Telamonian Ajax ; also up 
Sprang Diomed the sturdy son of Tydeus. 
Now when apart, on either side the throng, 
Their harness had they donned, — with terrible looks 
Into the midst they both together came 
Eager to fight : whereat astonishment 

815 Gat hold on all the Achaians : when howe'er 
They now were come full nigh at one another, 
Thrice made they a dash, and thrice rushed hand to hand ; 
Anon then Ajax pierced the full round shield 
Of Diomed, but came not at his flesh ; 
For well the corslet guarded it within. 

820 Whereat Tydeides with his bright spear-point 
Did ever then keep threat'ning Ajax' neck 
Above his ample buckler. Then forsooth 



book F. 657 

In mighty dread for Ajax were the Achaians, 

And bade them cease and bear off equal prizes. 

But lord Achilles gave unto Tydeides 

The mighty sword, and brought it him with scabbard, 

325 And well-cut leathern belt. Anon Peleides 
Put forth a massive quoit, self-cast and rough, 
Which erewhile his great mightiness Eetion 
Was wont to hurl : but the able-footed prince 
Achilles slaughtered him, and brought away 
This amongst other chattels in his ships. 
Up now he stood, and spake thus 'midst the Argives : 
" Arise now, ye who also for this prize 
1 Would try your luck : aloof howe'er far off 
' May be his goodly fields, — whoe'er wins this, 
' Would find it last him, yea five circling years, 
* For ready use : not indeed will his herdsman, 
' Nor ploughman, for the lack at least of iron, 
1 Go up to town : but this will furnish him." 
He spake : and Polypoites, staunch in battle, 
Sprang up forthwith : up too his mightiness 
The sturdy prince Leonteus ; up too Ajax, 
The son of Telamon : and prince Epeios : 
And now in row they stood : then prince Epeios* 
Took up the quoit, and whirling launched it forth ; 

340 But all the Achaians outright laughed thereat. 
Leonteus next, a scion of Ares, launched it : 
And third in turn, huge Telamonian Ajax 
Flung from stout hand, and o'ershot all their marks : 
But now when Polypoites, staunch in battle, 
Took up the quoit, then far as any herdsman 

345 Might fling his cudgel, and it flies along, 

* He appears to have been skilled only in boxing. See above, lines 670, 671. 

42 



658 THE ILIAD. XXIII. 

Spinning away, amongst the herded kine, — 
So far past all the crowd of marks he hurled : 
The folk then shouted : and up rose the friends 
Of sturdy Polypoites, and bare off 
The chieftain's prize unto the hollow ships. 

850 And now for bowmen set he forth dark iron, 
To wit, ten two-edged axes put he forth, 
And ten one-edged : then far off on the sands 
A blue-prowed galley's mast he set upstanding ; 
Whereon he tied a timorous dove by foot, 
With slender string, and then bade shoot at her : 

855 " Whoe'er shall haply hit the trembling dove, 
1 Let him take up the two-edged axes all, 
1 And bear them to his hut : and whosoe'er 
' Shall miss the bird but hit the string, then He 
i (For he's a worser bow-man) shall bear off 
1 The one-edged axes for his prize." He spake : 
Then started up his mightiness lord Teucer ; 

860 Up also rose Idomeneus' brave squire, 
Meriones : anon they took up lots 
And shook them in a brass-tipped helm. And Teucer 
First won by lot : whereat with vehement might 
He straightway shot an arrow, but held out 
No promise of a famous hecatomb 
Of firstling lambs unto the King of Archery : 

865 He missed the bird ; for this indeed Apollo 

Grudged as too great for him ; but near her foot 
Shot he the string, by which the bird was tied : 
And the sharp arrow cut the string right through. 
Then heaven-ward swift she darted : and the string 
Hung down towards the earth ; whereat the Achaians 
Shouted their loud applause : Meriones 



book y. 659 

370 In haste then snatched the bow from out his hand ; 
And shaft afore. already was he holding, 
For taking aim. Forthwith out held he a promise 
To sacrifice a famous hecatomb 
Of firstling lambs to Apollo the Far-shooter : 
Anon beneath the clouds aloft he eyed 
The timorous dove, and as she circled round, — 

375 Her, 'neath the wing, plump in her mid shot He ; 
And right through went his bolt ; which down again 
Stuck in the ground before Meriones' foot : 
Upon the blue-prowed galley's mast howe'er 
That bird now sat, and let her neck hang down, 
And down her thick wings drooped, flapping together. 

880 From out her limbs then flitted swift the life, 
And down afar therefrom she fell : whereat 
The folk did gaze, and w r ere withal astonied. 
So then Meriones took up the axes, 
Full ten two-edged ; and Teucer carried off 
The one-edged axes to the hollow ships. 
A long-helved spear Peleides next put forth : 

885 A burnished caldron too, untouched by fire, 
Its worth an ox, into the midst he brought 
And set before the assembly : javelin-men 
Hereat upstarted : up stood lord Atreides, 
The broad-realmed Agamemnon : up stood also 
Idomeneus' brave squire Meriones. 
But thus the able-footed prince Achilles 

890 Outspake : " Not so, Atreides ; for we know 

1 How much thou excellest all, and how much best 
1 Thou art in might as well as skill with javelins. 
' Wherefore, I pray, take Thou this prize with thee 
' Unto thy hollow ships ; and let us give 



660 THE ILIAD. XXIII. 

1 The spear to lord Meriones ; if willing 
' So in thy soul art Thou : / do entreat thee." 
895 He spake : and Agamemnon, chief of chieftains, 
Was not unready to comply. Whereat 
He gave Meriones the brazen spear : 
The royal chief then bade his herald rise, 
Talthybius, and take charge of his fair prize. 




BOOK fl. 661 



ARGUMENT OF THE TWENTY-FOURTH BOOK. fl. 

Achilles mourns Patroclus, and again dishonours Hector's corse. The gods' 
pity is excited ; and Zeus sends Thetis to Achilles, and bids him give up 
the body : and to Priam he sends Iris, exhorting him to go and ransom 
his dead son. Hecuba is full of adverse fears about his going : but on 
a favourable omen from Zeus he sets forth, escorted by Idaios : Hermes 
also, at the command of Zeus, conducts him to Achilles' camp-hat. 
Achilles is moved to pity, gives him the body, and entertains him for 
the night. Hermes conducts him back to the Town. The grief of 
Andromache, of Hecuba, and of Helen, for the death of Hector. Priam 
gives orders for his funeral-rites : and with these, since Achilles' wrath 
both against Agamemnon and against Hector is now at an end, the 
poem concludes. 

OMEGA : Priam ransoms Hector's corse : 
The Trojan ladies mourn the prince deceased: 
Priam gives orders for the funeral rites, 
The blazing pyre, the mound, and funeral feast. 



The assembly now broke up ; and all the men 
Dispersed and hied them to the nimble ships : 
For supper they took thought, and to enjoy 
Sweet Sleep to hearts' content : but lord Achilles 
Wept, as he called to mind his dear-loved friend, 
Nor did all-mastering Sleep lay hold on Him ; 
But to and frd he tossed himself, through yearning 
After his gallant mightiness Patroclus, 
And his brave soul; and how great things with him 



662 



THE ILIAD. XXIV. 




Had he achieved, and undergone sore troubles, 
Battles of men, and cleaving troublous billows : 
Calling all this to mind, he shed warm tears, 

10 Now lying on his side, and now again 
Upon his back, and now upon his face : 
Anon then to his feet he started up, 
And on the sea-shore roamed about, distraught : 
Nor forth unseen by Him did Morning peep 
Over the sea and beach : but his fleet horses 
Yoked he beneath his chariot-bar, and bound 
Hector once more to trail behind his car : 
Then thrice about the mound of dead Patroclus 
He dragged him ; then in hut took rest again ; 
While Him outstretched, face downward, in the dust 
He left again : but pity upon the man, 
Dead though he was, Apollo kindly took, 
And kept away all outrage from the skin ; 
And with his golden JSgis wrapped him all, 
That whoso dragged him might not mar nor rend it. 
Thus in his rage dishonoured he prince Hector : 
But on him looked the happy gods with pity : 
And oft they urged the watchful Argus-killer 
Steal him away ; for now it so did please 

25 The others all, but Here never a whit, 

Nor yet Poseidon, nor the Bright-eyed Maid : 
But held they yet their mood ; e'en as at first 
Hated by them was Priam and all his people, 
And sacred Troy, for Alexander's folly, 
Who scorned the goddesses what time they came 
Unto his homestead-court, but praised that One 

30 Who put within him hurtful wantonness. 

Now when appeared the Morn, twelfth from the time, 



BOOK fl. 



663 



55 



Then spake Apollo Phoebus 'mongst the Deathless : 

" Cruel ye are, gods, doers of mischief! 

1 Has Hector never burnt upon your altars 

1 Choice goats' and bullocks' thigh-bones ? yet now Him 

1 Ye've not had heart to rescue, even his corse, 

' For his dear wife, and for his mother and child 

1 And father Priam to see, and for his people ; 

1 Who would on funeral-pyre soon burn his body 

1 And give him burial-honours. But, ye gods, 

' Slaughterous Achilles rather would ye help, 

' A man whose heart forsooth is no-wise righteous, 

1 And in whose breast is unrelenting purpose : 

1 But skilled in fierceness is he, like a lion, 

' Such as, when putting trust in mighty strength 

1 And haughty spirit, goes forth to attack men's flocks, 

' To snatch a meal ; so has Achilles lost 

' All touch of pity ; and has no sense of Shame, — 

' Which much distresses men, yet profits them. 

' One sure may lose a friend, yea one right dear, 

1 Either a brother born of selfsame womb, 

' Or even a son ; yet makes he an end forsooth 

1 Of tears and wailing when he has had his fill. 

' For in mankind the Fatal goddesses 

' Have put a patient soul. But this fierce man, 

' On having robbed prince Hector of his life, 

' Ties him behind his car, and trails him yonder 

' About the funeral-mound of his dear friend : 

1 Sure this in him is not so well nor comely. 

1 Let him beware, lest We be wroth with him, 

1 Brave though he be : for in his furious mood 

' He now wreaks outrage on dull senseless earth." 

In wrath then White- armed Here thus addressed him : 



664 



THE ILIAD. XXIV. 



" E'en as thou say'st, lord of the Silver Bow, 
' So might this be, if honour can ye put 
' The same on Hector as upon Achilles. 
1 Mortal indeed is Hector, and he sucked 
1 The breast of mortal woman ; but Achilles 
' Is offspring of a goddess, one whom I 

60 ' Myself both reared and fostered, and did give her 
1 In marriage unto a man, even to Peleus, 
1 Who of the Deathless was right well-beloved : 
1 And at the marriage-banquet all ye gods 
i Took part ; and 'mongst them Thou, with harp in hand, 
' Didst feast, cowards' comrade, faithless ever ! " 
Then answered her cloud-gatherer Zeus and said : 

65 " Here, now be not quite so enraged with gods. 
1 Not indeed shall their honour be the same ; 
1 And yet of all mankind that are in Ilion 
1 Most dear was Hector ever to the gods ; 
' As also unto Me : for never a whit 
* Niggard was he of pleasing gifts. My altar 
1 Did never feel the lack of gallant feast, 

70 i Or of libation, or of steamy savour ; 
1 For This is Our allotted gift of honour. 
' But give we up indeed all thought of stealing 
' Bold Hector (and 'tis no way possible, 
' Unknown to Achilles) ; for as well by night, 
' As too by day, his mother comes and tends him : 
' But of the gods let one go summon Thetis 

75 ' Hither to me, and unto Her I '11 speak 

' Some word of shrewd advice, that so Achilles 

' Upon receipt of ransom-gifts from Priam 

1 May give up Hector's corse." He spake : and forth, 

Bearing his message, storm-swift Iris hasted. 



book il. 665 

Anon 'twixt Samos and the rugged Imbro3 

Into the darksome deep she leapt ; whereat 
80 The sea did sob again. Down to the bottom 

Plunged She, like leaden weight, such as is laid 

On horn of field-fed ox and plunges down 

Carrying death to raw-devouring fishes : 

Thetis within her hollow cave she found ; 

And sitting all about her were her nymphs, 

Sea-goddesses, in throngs : and in their midst 
85 Mourning was She her son's appointed doom, 

Her faultless son, whom she was soon to lose 

In loamy Troy, from fatherland afar. 

By her now stood and spake the foot-swift Iris : 

" Thetis, arise ! thou'rt called on high by Zeus 

1 Well-skilled in counsels all imperishable ! " 

Then silver-footed Thetis answered her : 
90 " wherefore does that mighty god bid Me ? 

' And mongst the Deathless I 'm ashamed to mingle, 

% Such woes unceasing occupy my soul. 

1 I'll go : for not in vain shall be the word, 

' Whate'er he thinks to say." As thus she spake, 

The fair of goddesses took a dark veil, 

Than which no garment ever might be blacker. 
95 And forth she hied, but Iris went before, 

Swift-footed as the wind : and round about them 

The billows of the sea withdrew asunder : 

Then stepped they ashore, and darted up to heaven : 

And found far-seeing Chronides ; and round him 

The other ever-living happy gods 

Were sitting all together in assembly : 
100 Then down she sat beside her father Zeus, 

Where place Athene gave her. Into her hand 



666 THE ILIAD. XXIV. 

Here now put a beauteous golden goblet, 
And cheered her with kind words : and Thetis drank, 
And handed back the cup. Then thus began 
The sire of men and gods : " goddess Thetis, 
Unto Olympus hast thou come, though mourning, 
105 ' With heart-felt grief that may not be forgotten ; 
Yea I do know : nathless I '11 tell thee now, 
Wherefore I Ve called thee hither : 'mongst the Deathless 
A wrangling has arisen (nine days now) 
About thy City-wasting son Achilles, 
And Hector's corse : and often did they urge 
The keen-eyed Argus-slayer to steal the body : # 
110 ' But on Achilles I bestow this glory, 

For maintenance of thy respect hereafter, 
And friendship. Go thou then with all best speed 
Unto the host, and give thy son this charge : 
Tell him the gods are angry ; and I chiefly 
Of all the Deathless ones am wroth with him, 
Because in furious mood he still detains 
115 ' The corse of Hector at his crook-beaked ships, 
And frees it not for ransom : If howe'er 
Of Me he stands in awe, let him release 
Hector forthwith for ransom. And I'll send 
Iris with message unto high-souled Priam, 
To go to the Argive galleys and release 
His dear-loved son, and carry ransom- gifts 
Unto Achilles, that may melt his heart." 
He spake : whereat the silver-footed goddess, 
Thetis, was not unready to comply. 
Straight from Olympus' heights forth hied she down. 
To her son's hut she came, and him within 

* See line 24. 



BOOK fl. 



667 



Sighing full sore she found : in busy haste 
About him were his comrades making Teady 

125 And setting breakfast forth : within the hut 

A full-grown woolly sheep they had slain already. 

Now She, his lady mother, sat her down 

Close at his side, caressed him with her hand, 

And spake this word, and uttered it aloud : 

" My child, how long wilt thou still vex thy soul, 

1 Weeping and wailing thus, with never a thought 

130 ' Either of bread or bed or woman's love ? 

i Tet good is intercourse in love with woman : 

' Not shall I see thee living long, my son ; 

i But nigh thee, alas, already stands thy Death 

' And violent Doom. Yet quick now give me hearing ; 

1 For I 'm from Zeus a messenger to thee : 

1 He says the gods are angry, and He chiefly 

135 ' Of all the Deathless ones is wroth, with thee, 
1 Because in furious mood thou still detainest 
1 The corse of Hector at thy crook-beaked ships, 
1 And free'st it not for ransom. Free it then, 
1 Upon receipt of ransom for the dead/' 
Anon foot-swift Achilles answered her : 
"Then Let one come and bring me ransom-price 

140 ' And take the corse away, if Zeus himself, 

'The Olympian, so in earnest mood now bids." 
In many a winged word, thus each with other 
Together talked the mother and her son. 
Meanwhile, to sacred Ilion, Chronides 
Sped Iris forth : " Haste thee away, swift Iris, 
* Leave this Olympian seat, and enter Ilion ; 

145 * Bid high-souled Priam go to the Argive ships 
6 And ransom his dear son ; and bid him carry 



668 THE ILIAD. XXIV. 

' Gifts for Achilles, that may melt his heart ; 

1 Alone too must he ; and no chieftain else 

' Of Trojans must escort him. Some old herald, 

' Such as may drive his fair-wheeled wain and mules, 

150 ' May go with him, and to the Town again 

1 Bring his dead son, whom prince Achilles killed. 

' And let him have at heart no fear of death, 

' Nor any manner of dread : for with him thither 

1 We '11 send an able escort, the Argus-killer 

1 Who '11 guide him safe, and lead him to Achilles. 

155 ' And when he has led him into Achilles' hut, 
1 The chieftain will not slay him, no, but keep 
1 All others too from mischief: for not witless, 
1 Nor heedless is he ; neither is he wicked ; 
' But spare will he a suppliant man right kindly." 
He spake : and with his message storm-swift Iris 
Darted away ; and came to Priam's dwelling : 

160 And wailing found she there and cry of sorrow. 
Sons round their sire were sitting in the yard, 
Soiling their clothes with tears ; and he, the old man, 
Amidst them, hidden in cloak drawn close to shape ; 
And all about that old man's head and neck 
Scattered was dirt, which as he rolled in grief 
With his own hands he heaped upon himself. 
And wailing sore there were throughout the palace 
Daughters-in-law as well as daughters, mindful 
Of those who now lay dead, both many and brave, 
Bereft of life beneath the Achaians' hands. 
Now stood Jove's messenger before king Priam, 
And speaking low she accosted him (for trembling 
Had hold upon his limbs) : " Cheer up at heart, 
6 Priam Dardanides, and have no fear : 



book n. 669 

1 Not to foretoken evil unto thee 

1 Am I come hither, but with thoughts of good : 

1 And I 'm a messenger to thee from Zeus, 

1 Who, though far off, is much concerned for thee, 

175 i And has great pity : and the Olympian bids thee 
( Eansom prince Hector's corse, and carry gifts 
( Unto Achilles, that may melt his heart ; 
1 Alone go thither ; and no chieftain else 
' Of Trojans must escort thee : Some old herald, 
1 Such as may drive thy fair-wheeled wain and mules, 
1 May go with thee, and to the Town again 

180 ' Bring back the dead, whom prince Achilles killed. 

* And in thy heart Have thou no fear of death, 

* Nor any manner of dread : for with thee thither 
1 Shall go an able escort, the Argus-killer, 

' Who '11 guide thee safe, and lead thee to Achilles. 
1 And when he has led thee into Achilles' hut, 
1 The chieftain will not slay thee, no, but keep 

185 ' All others too from mischief : for not witless, 
1 Nor heedless is he ; neither is he wicked ; 
' But spare will he a suppliant man right kindly." 
So saying, away hied she, the foot-swift Iris. 
The king then bade his sons forthwith make ready 
His fair-wheeled mule-wain, and thereon to fasten 

190 The waggon's basket-frame : then down went He 
Into his fragrant store-room, cedar-built, 
High-roofed, which held his treasures, many a marvel ; 
And thither to him called he Hecuba, 
His consort, and spake thus : " But now, dear lady, 
' Came an Olympian messenger to me 
' From Zeus, and bade me ransom our dear son 

195 ' And go to the Argive ships, and carry gifts 



670 THE ILIAD. XXIV. 

' Unto Achilles, that may melt his heart. 

' But pr'ythee tell me now, — How to thy thoughts 

i Seems this to be ? for as to me indeed, 

' Strangely my heart and soul bid me go thither, 

1 Unto the ships, at the Argives' wide-spread host." 

200 He spake : whereat the woman shrieked and answered : 
" Ah Me, now whither gone are all thy wits, 
' For which thou wast aforetime so renowned 
' 'Mong stranger folk, as also where thou reignest? 
1 How to the Argive galleys dost thou think 
' To go alone, before yon chieftain's face, 
1 Him, who has spoiled thee sons both many and brave ? 

205 ' Sure is thy heart of iron : if indeed 

' That faithless man and brutal shall catch Thee, 
' And see thee Yore his face, he '11 have no pity, 
( Nor will he rev'rence thee a whit : so now 
* Aloof here let us bide at home and mourn : 
' For thus I ween stern Fate allotted Him 

210 * With his first thread of life, what time I bare him, — 
' To glut swift-footed hounds, far from his parents, 
' At hest of yon stern man ; O / could clutch, 
' Yea cling to him, and eat his liver's core out ! 
' Then should be wrought full vengeance for my son : 
1 For him he slew, not skulking craven-like, 
< Nor yet bethinking him of flight or shelter, 

215 s But standing in defence of Trojan men 

( And of our fair deep-bosomed Trojan women." 
Then answered her the godlike sire, old Priam : 
" Seek not to hold back me, wishing to go ; 
' Nor an unlucky omen in the house 
' Be thou to me ; for me thou shalt not move. 

220 ' If any one forsooth who dwells on earth, 



BOOK 12. 671 

1 Prophet, or seer, or sacrificing priest, 

1 Had bidden me, a lie we sure should think it, 

' And rather should we turn away therefrom : 

' But now, as 't is, I '11 go ; for heard have I 

1 And looked upon a god yea face to face ; 

' Nor shall such word be vain. And if I'm fated 

225 ' To die beside the brass-mailed Argives' galleys, — 
1 I'm willing : Oh, when once within mine arms 
1 I've clasped my son, and had my fill of wailing, 
1 Then let Achilles outright slaughter me !" 
He spake ; then oped his coffers' goodly lids ; 
Wherefrom he took twelve passing comely shawls ; 

230 Also twelve single cloaks, and rugs as many ; 
. As many beauteous mantles too ; and coats 
Yet furthermore as many. Then of gold 
He weighed out full ten talents' weight and brought : 
And two bright tripods also, and four caldrons ; 
Then forth he took a passing beauteous goblet, 
"Which unto him had Thracian chieftains given, 

235 When thither on an embassage he went, — 
A great possession ; yet e'en this the old man 
Now spared not from his house ; so fain at heart 
He was to ransom his dear son : anon, 
The Trojans all from forth his corridor 
He thrust, thus chiding them with ugly words : 
"Away, ye worthless wretches, craven cowards! 

240 ' Have ye at home no mourning then yourselves, 
' That hither thus ye come to trouble me ? 
1 Are ye the better for that Zeus Chronion 
1 Has laid distress on me, — that I thus lose 
1 My choicest son ? yet soon ye too shall feel it : 
' For now ye '11 be much easier for the Achaians 



672 THE ILIAD. XXIV. 

* To slay, since dead is He : but go will I,— 

245 ' Ere ever with mine eyes I see this Town 

1 Ravaged and sacked, — into the abode of Hades." 
He spake ; and with his staff drave out the men ; 
And out hied they, the old man was in such haste : 
Then 'gan he roundly rate and chide his sons, 
Prince Agathon, and Helenos, and Paris ; 

250 Antiphonos, and Pannon ; and Polites, 
Doughty at war-shout ; and Deiphobus, 
And gallant Dios, and Hippo thoos. 
Roundly the aged sire then chid these nine, 
And charged them : " Haste, I say, ye worthless brats, 
6 Disgraces that ve are ! 'Would that at once 
' Ye had all been slaughtered at yon nimble ships 

255 ' In Hector's stead ! Alas, Me, all hapless ! 
' For in broad Troy the sire I was of sons 
1 Most brave, but never one of them, I say, 
1 Is left me now remaining : godlike Mestor, 
1 And Tro'ilns, renowned chariot-warrior ; 
' And Hector, who was yea a god 'mongst men, 
6 And seemed not of a death-doomed man forsooth 

260 ' To be the son, but rather of a god : 

' Ares has lost me them : but left are these 

i Disgraces all remaining, liars, dancers, 

' Most choice for featly footing it in ring, 

' Robbers at home of neighbours' lambs and goats. — 

' Will ye not now, all haste, here get me ready 

e The wain, and lay these chattels all thereon, 

265 ' So that we make our journey?" Spake he thus. 
Whereat feared they their father's round rebuke, 
And straightway heaved the fair-w T heeled mule-wain forth, 
Goodly, new-built ; and fast they made thereon 



book fl. 673 

Its wicker-basket : down from peg then took they 
The box-wood mule-yoke, knobbed a-top in midst, 
With rein-rings fitted well : forth too they fetched, 

270 Together with the yoke, the yoking hand, 

Nine cubits long : and this with care they laid 

About the polished pole, to the outmost end ; 

And laid the breast-ring to the peg thereof : 

Then to the yoke-knob three times made they fast 

From either side, and all in fitting order 

Bound down and turned the strap-tongues in beneath : 

275 The countless ransom-gifts for Hectors head 

Then fetched they from the store-room, and piled up, 
Upon the polished wain. Whereto they yoked 
The strong-hoofed harness-mules, which on a time 
Had Mysians given to Priam, gallant gifts. 
Horses now led they 'neath the yoke for Priam, 
Which He, the old man himself, was wont to feed 

280 At polished crib, and ever fondly tended : 
This pair indeed old Priam and his herald 
(Both with good store of prudent wit in soul) 
Yoked for themselves before the lofty palace. 
To them anon drew near, with sorrowing heart, 
Hecuba, charged w T ith soul-delighting wine 
In golden goblet, which her right hand held, 

285 Whereof libation might they make ere starting. 
Before the horses now she stood, and straight 
Outspake this word and said : " Here, take and pour 
' Libation unto father Zeus, and pray, 
' Thou may'st return from foemen home again ; 
4 Seeing thy heart indeed so urges thee 
' Forth to yon ships, though sore against my mind. 

290 ' But here to Idaian cloud-wrapt Chronicles, 

43 



674 THE ILIAD. XXIV. 

1 Him who looks down upon all Troy, pray Thou ; 
' And ask him for his nimble messenger, 
' On the right hand, his ominous bird, which also 
1 Is to Himself .the dearest of all birds, 
' And greatest is his might ; that 'fore thine eyes 
1 Him mayst thou note ; and go, with trust in him, 
295 ' Unto the galleys of the swift-horsed Danaans. 
1 But if far-seeing Zeus will not vouchsafe 
' His messenger to thee, then I forsooth, 

I Entreat would I and urge thee not to go, 

' Fain howsoe'er thou art, to the Argive ships." 
Then godlike Priam answered her and said : 

II woman, sure I'll not refuse compliance 
300 ' With this thy 'hest : for good it is to uplift 

1 Our hands in prayer to Zeus, in hope he '11 pity." 
He spake : and straight the aged sire commanded 
The attendant stewardess to pour pure water 
Upon his hands : for ready by stood she, 
The attendant woman, holding in her hands 
At once both ewer and basin. So he washed 

305 His hands, and of his consort took the goblet : 

Then standing in the court-yard's midst, he prayed, 

And poured libation of the wine, uplookmg 

To heav'n the while, and thus outspake and said : 

"Zeus father, most glorious, most mighty, 

1 Guardian of Ida !— Unto Achilles' hut 

' Grant me to go and find both pity and kindness : 

310 ' And hither send thy speedy messenger 

' On the right hand, thine ominous bird, which also 
1 Is to thyself the dearest of all birds, 
1 And greatest is his might ; that 'fore mine eyes 
' Him may I note, and go with trust in him, 



book fl. 675 

' Unto the galleys of the swift-horsed Danaans." 
So spake he praying : and Zeus the lord of Counsel 

815 Gave ready ear ; and straightway sent his eagle, 
Surest of winged omens, dusky Hunter, 
Which also call they " Percnos" And as large 
As is a high-roofed store-room's door, with bolts 
Well-fitted, of some wealthy man ; so large 
Were the bird's wings on either side of him ; 
And swiftly gliding o'er the Town he seemed 

320 On their right hand ; and they at the sight rejoiced ; 
And warmed within their breasts was every heart. 
In haste then He, the aged sire, upstepped 
Upon the polished chariot-board ; and drave 
From forth the porch and echoing corridor : 
The mules now dragged the four-wheeled wain before, 

325 And sage Idaios drave them : after them 
The horses came, which He, the aged king, 
Urging with whip drave swiftly through the Town : 
And with him followed friends all wailing sore, 
As though he sure were going unto Death. 
Now when from forth the City they had come, 
And reached the plain, then back again to Ilion 

330 Went all the foll'wers, sons and sons-in-law. 
Upon the plain howe'er, not unperceived 
By far-seeing Zeus, the twain came forth in view ; 
And at the sight he pitied the aged king ; 
Whereat straight spake he to his dear son, Hermes : 
" Hermes, for sure most specially to Thee 
1 Right pleasing 't is forsooth to company 

335 ' With man, and also kindly ear thou givest 
' To whomsoe'er tl.ou wilt, Hie now thy way, 
' And unto the Argives' hollow ships forthwith 



676 



THE ILIAD, XXIV. 



1 Escort thou Priam so that never a one 
1 Of all yon Danaans either see or note him, 
1 Till to Peleides may he come." He spake : 
And nothing slack was the Argus-killer Guide 

340 To yield compliance : straightway 'neath his feet 
He bound his comely sandals, all ambrosial, 
Golden, which bare him swift as gale of wind 
Whether upon the boundless land or water ; 
And took his wand, wherewith in spell-bound sleep 
He lays men's eyes, e'en whose and when he will, 
And wakens them again howe'er sound sleeping : 

345 Rod thus in hand, the mighty Argus-killer 

Went flying forth. And quickly indeed he came 

Both unto Troas and the Hellespont. 

Then on his way he stepped, seeming a youth 

Of princely rank, chin with first mantling beard, 

In manhood's loveliest bloom. Now They, meanwhile, 

When beyond Ilus' ample mound they had driven, 

350 Brought both the mules and horses to a halt, 
For drinking at the river : for just now 
The dusk of eve had come upon the earth. 
Anon from near at hand the herald saw 
And noted him, e'en Hermes ; then to Priam 
Spake he and said : " Dardanides, Beware ! 
' Here's work for wary thought ; I spy a man, 

355 ' And soon, I fear, we both outright shall perish : 
' But flee we now on horses ; or forthwith 
i Him by the knees let's clasp and supplicate, 
' If haply he'll have pity." Spake he thus : 
Then troubled was the old man's heart, and strangely 
Afeared he was ; and on his lissome limbs 
On end upstood his hair : and all astonied 



BOOK n. 



677 



360 He stood stock still : meanwhile, Luck-bringing Hermes 
Drew near and took the old man's hand, and thus 
Enquired of him and said : u Whither, father, 
Both mules and horses art thou driving thus 
During the ambrosial night, when other mortals 
Lie down to sleep ? And Thou, hast thou no fear 
Of these Achaians' breathing rage, who re here 
Hard by, thy foes and that implacable ? 
Should any one perchance of Them spy Thee, 
During the dark swift-passing night, thus bringing 
Such goodly things, what then would be thy thought? 
Not young art Thou, and thine attendant here 
Is indeed old, for warding off a man, 
Should any one be forward with rough usage : 
No manner of harm howe'er will I do Thee ; 
But from thee would I ward off any one ; 
For thee I liken to mine own dear father." 
Then answered him the godlike sire old Priam : 
1 Somehow e'en so, dear son, all this forsooth 
Is as thou say'st : yet a protecting hand 
Yea over me some god now holds, who sends 
Hither to meet me such a fellow-trav'ler, 
At lucky time, one such indeed as Thou, 
In comely form and fashion, admirable ; 
And wise in thought thou art, and comest sure 
Of happy parents." Then thus answered him 
The Argus-killer Guide : " Yea, ancient Sir, 
Now spoken hast thou here forsooth all fitly : 
But come now, tell me this, and set forth truly ; 
Art sending off, to men on foreign land 
Somewhither, treasures great and rich, that safe 
Unto thee so may these at least remain ? 



678 



THE ILIAD. XXIV. 



' Or are ye now all quitting sacred Ilion 

1 Through fear ? since perished has thy choicest man, 

1 E'en He, thy son : for sure not ever a whit 

385 ' Did he fall short of Argives in the battle." 

Then answered him the godlike sire old Priam : 
" And Who art Thou, Best Sir, and of what fathers 
' Com'st thou, who tell'st thus well of that sad fate 
' Of my unhappy son ?" Anon in answer 
To him then spake the Argus-killer Guide : 

390 " Thou'rt putting me to proof, mine ancient Sir, 
i And question me thou dost about prince Hector : 
' Full often in the man-ennobling fight 
' Have I indeed seen Him before mine eyes ; 
1 And when he used to drive the Argives back, 
1 And cleave with sharp-edged sword, and slaughter them 
6 Beside their ships ; and we did stand and marvel ; 

395 ' Since lord Achilles, angered with Atreides, 

' Suffered us not to fight. For I 'm His squire ; 
' One tight-built galley brought us : and, by birth, 

* Of Myrmidons am I : my sire, Polyctor : 
1 Wealthy indeed is He, but aged now, 

* As Thou too here : six sons with him there are ; 
' And I in sooth am seventh. In casting lots 

400 ' Amongst them, I obtained the coming hither : 

' And from the ships I've now come o'er the plain : 
( The quick-eyed Argives will to-morrow morn 
' Be fighting for the Town. For they're distressed 
6 At sitting idle ; and the Achaian princes 
' Can't hold them in, so fain they are for battle." 

405 Then answered him the godlike sire old Priam : 
" If now a squire of Teleus' son Achilles 
' Indeed thou art, come tell me the whole truth, — 



book 12. 679 

' Is yet my son before the ships, or has 

' Achilles cut him limb from limb already, 

1 And thrown him to his bitches ?" Then to him 

410 In answer spake the Argus-killer Guide : 
" Not eaten him as yet have dogs or birds, 
' ancient Sir ; but yonder, just the same, 
1 Still at Achilles' camp-huts by his galley, 
' Lies He outstretched : and his twelfth day of lying 
1 Is this, but yet his flesh does no-wise moulder ; 
1 Neither do worms eat Him, as is their wont 

415 * To eat men slain in fight. Sure recklessly 
1 Him does Achilles drag about the mound 
1 Of his dear friend, when sacred Morn peeps forth ; 
' Yet mars not Him : yea, didst thyself come thither ; 
' With wonder wouldst thou see, how fresh as dew 
' He lies, and off is washed the blood about him ; 

420 ' And no where is he stained, and quite closed up 
1 Are all his wounds, many as he received ; 
i And gainst him many a man did thrust his weapon. 
' In such sort are the happy gods concerned 
' For thy brave son, yea dead although he be ; 
' For unto them at heart was he full dear." 
So spake he : and the aged sire rejoiced, 

425 And answered thus : " son, indeed 'tis good 

I To give yea rightful gifts unto the Deathless : 
' For never did my son (if him, alas, 

I I ever had) at home forget the gods 

' Who occupy Olympus : wherefore Him 
' They 've now repaid, e'en in the doom of death, 
6 With kind remembrance. But, I pr'ythee now, 
430 ( Accept of me this goodly cup ; and me, 
1 E'en a3 I am, both guard thou and escort, 



680 THE ILIAD. XXIV. 

1 With the gods' help, till safely may I come 
i Unto Peleides' hut." Then answered him 
The Argus-killer Guide : " reverend Sir, 
' Tkou'rt putting me, a younger one, to proof; 
1 Yet me thou It not persuade, thus urging me 

435 fc Without Achilles' knowledge to accept 

' Gifts at thy hand. In awe of Him indeed 
' Stand /, and am right heartily afraid 
1 To cheat, lest aught hereafter ill befal me. # 
' Yet go would I, aye, to renowned Argos, 
6 Thine escort, readily with nimble ship, 
1 Or at thy side a-foot :' no one should cast 

440 ' Slur on thine escort, and 'gainst thee do battle." 
He spake, and up the Eeady Helper darted 
Upon the car and horses ; into his hands 
Snatched whip and reins with eager haste ; and breathed 
A gallant strength into the mules and horses. 
But when they reached the trench and ships' defences, 
Just then the guards were busy about their suppers : 

445 Whereat the Argus-killer Guide poured Sleep 

Upon them all; then straightway oped the gates, 
Thrust back the bolts, and in he led both Priam 
And all his gallant gifts upon the wain. 
Now when they reached Peleides' lofty hut, 
Which for their lord the Myrmidons had builded, 

450 Of pine-wood beams hewed out ; and from the marsh 
They had gathered downy sedge, wherewith a-top 
They had thatched a roof, and for their lord had made 
A large court-yard, with upright stakes close-planted 
Around it : and a single pine-wood bar 

* Compare the Scripture lesson set forth in the example of Gehazi, the servant of 
Elisna : 2 Kings v., 20-27. 



BOOK fl. 



681 



Held the door fast, bar whereat three Achaians 
Were wont to strive in pushing home ; and three 
455 Used to draw back the doors' great bolt for oping, — 
Three always ; but Achilles even alone 
Was wont to push it home. So now in a trice 
Hermes the Ready Helper opened it 
For the old man ; and the renowned gifts 
In brought he for the foot-swift son of Peleus ; 
Then stepped he down from out the car to the earth 
460 And said : " ancient Sir, a deathless god 
Hermes am I come hither : for my father 
Sent me to be thine escort and conductor : 
But I 'il betake me now straight back again, 
And will not come before Achilles' face : 
For such-like entertainment openly 
'Twixt mortals and a Deathless god forsooth 
465 ' Sure were enough to make one wroth. But Thou, 
Go in and clasp forthwith Peleides' knees ; 
And by his father and his fair-haired mother, 
And by his son entreat him ; so at once 
His heart thou mayst upstir." So saying, away 
To lofty Olympus Hermes hied him forth : 
Then to the ground leapt Priam from his chariot, 
470 But left Idaios there behind ; who stayed 

Holding the mules and horses : and the old sire 
Went straight towards the hut, wherein Achilles, 
Beloved of Zeus, was wont to sit : and him 
He found within : but sitting were his comrades 
Aloof, and with him were but only two, 
Both lord Automedon and Alcimos, 
475 A scion of Ares, bustling in attendance : 

(For from his meal he had but just now ceased 



682 THE ILIAD. XXIV. 

Eating and drinking, table yet before him :) 

Unseen howe'er of them tall Priam entered, 

Drew near at once and stood, and with his hands 

Took hold of lord Achilles' knees, and kissed 

His terrible, slaughterous hands, hands which had slain 

480 Him many a son. As when sore bane o'ertakes 
A man, who in his fatherland has killed 
A fellow-countryman, and flees away 
To a land of strangers, to some rich man's house, 
Whereat astonishment o'erwhelms beholders ; 
Astounded so, at sight of godlike Priam, 
Was now Achilles, and astounded also 

485 Were the others there, and looked each one at other. 
Then Priam prayed him thus and spake this word : 
" Like the gods, Achilles ! Call to mind 
1 Thy father, of the same full years as I, 
' Upon the fatal threshold of old age. 
' And haply neighbouring dwellers round about 
' Are now distressing Him, and none at hand 

490 ' To ward off bane and ruin : yet sure at heart 
' Eejoice does He, at hearing Thou yet livest ; 
' And hope he indulges day by day to look 
1 On his dear son again, returned from Troy : 

I But all unhappy // for in broad Troy 

I I was the sire of sons most brave, but now 
i Of them not one, I say, is left remaining. 

495 ' Fifty I had, when the Argives' sons came hither ; 
' Nineteen from forth one womb : and all the rest 
' My women bare me in the house. Fierce Ares 
' Has loosed the knees indeed of most of them ; 
' But Him, who was alone my choicest one, 
' And who did ever guard the Town and them, 



BOOK fl. 



683 



500 



505 



510 



515 



520 



1 Him hast Thou lately slain, my Hector, fighting 
1 In fatherland's defence : for sake of Him 
' Now hither am I come to the Argives' galleys, 
' To ransom him from Thee ; and ransom-price 
1 Countless I bring. But reverence thou the gods, 
' And call to mind thy father, O Achilles, 
1 And so on Me have pity ; for indeed 
'More pitiable am /, and here I've ventured, 
1 As never yet on earth has other mortal, 
i To stretch forth suppliant hands before the face 
'Yea of a man the slaughterer of my children." 
He spake : and stirred thereby through father's mem'ry 
A secret yearning after tears ; whereat 
The chief took hold of the aged sire by arm 
And gently thrust him back. Anon, they twain 
Both mind~ful,— one indeed of slaughterous Hector 
Burst into sore bewailment, rolling sad 
Before Achilles' feet ; while also wailed 
Achilles for his father, and anon 
By turns for his Patroclus : and their wailing 
Did rise through all the hut. When prince Achilles 
Had had howe'er his fill of lamentation, 
And yearning quitted both his heart and limbs, 
Straight from his chair he rose, and pitying 
That hoary pate and hoary chin, he raised 
Up by his htod the aged sire ; and thus 
In winged words accosted him and said : 
6 Ah Luckless ! in thy soul now many a woe 
Sure hast thou borne ! How hast thou dared to come 
Alone to the Argive ships, before my face, 
A man, who have slain thy sons both many and brave ? 
Sure is thy heart of iron. Yet now come, 



684 THE ILIAD. XXIV, 

Here sit thou on this chair; and let us leave, 
Grieved howsoe'er we be, our woes to lie 
At rest within our hearts nathless ; no good 
Comes ever of chill woe. For to poor mortals 

525 ' The gods have spun the thread of Destiny 
E'en thus, — to live in grief: yet free indeed 
Are They themselves from sorrow. On the floor 
Of Jove's abode are lying hid two jars 
Of gifts, whate'er he gives ; the one of ill ; 
And of good things, the other. Unto whom 
Shall thunder-loving Zeus mix out and give, 

530 ' Then sure does that man sometimes light on evil, 
And upon good sometimes : but to sad ruin 
Him does he bring, to whomsoe'er he gives 
From out those baneful miseries ; and him 
A troublous grinding wretchedness does harass 
On sacred earth ; and to and fro he goes, 
Not honoured or by gods or mortal men. 

535 ' Thus too to Peleus, from his birth, the gods 

Have sure giv'n gallant gifts ; for he surpassed 
All folk in worldly goods and wealth ; and king 
O'er Myrmidons he ruled ; and unto him, 
Mortal although, they gave a goddess-wife : 
Yet has the god laid evil too on Him ; 
In that to him no race of sons for rulers 

540 ' Has in his house been born ; but one son only 
Doomed to untimely end has he begotten : 
Nor am I cheering him in his old age, 
Since far away from fatherland I sit 
In Troy, here troubling thee and all thy children. 
And Thou, old Sir, we hear wast erewhile blessed 
With wealth indeed, as far as ever Lesbos, 






book 12. 685 

545 ' Macar's abode, shuts in, and Upper Phrygia, 
1 And Hello's endless main. Of passing note 
1 Both for thy wealth of these, and for thy sons 

* Wast Thou, old Sir, they say. But since on Thee 
' The heavenly gods have brought this misery, — 

1 About thy Town unceasingly are battles 
1 And slaying of men : yet patient bear thee up ; 
550 ' And mourn not in thy soul incessantly : 

* For nought by sorrowing thus for thy brave son 
' Canst thou avail, nor raise him up again, 

i Ere yet a further mischief shall befal thee." 
Then answered him the aged godlike Priam : 
" Oh seat not Me on chair, while yet unburied 
' Hector is lying at thy huts, Prince : 

555 ' But give him up on ransom with all speed, 

' That I may see him 'fore mine eyes : and Thou, 
' Accept this ample quittance which we bring thee ; 
' And yea mayst Thou have joy thereof, and come 
' To thine own fatherland again, when once 
' Me hast thou hence dismissed, and there mayst Thou 
i Live yet and see the sunshine-light of Life." 

560 Hereat foot-swift Achilles eyed him grimly, 
And said : " Disquiet me no more, old Sir, 
i For minded am I now e'en of myself 
i To give thee up thy Hector: for from Zeus 
6 Unto me hither came a messenger, 
' The daughter of the Ancient of the Deep, 
' My mother, She who gave me birth : and now 

565 ' Thee, Priam, I know by heart ; nor dost thou 'scape 
i My ken, that sure some god escorted thee 
1 Unto the Argives' nimble ships ; for else, 
' Had no man, though in proudest bloom of life, 



686 THE ILIAD. XXIV. 

1 Ventured within our camp ; for neither 'scaped 
' Our watchers' notice had he, nor with ease 

I Pushed back our gates' great bolts. Wherefore no more 
570 ' Move now my soul with grief, lest Thee, though suppliant, 

I I suffer not in hut, old Sir, but slay thee 

1 And sin against Jove's 'hests." He spake : whereat 
That old man feared,— and trusted in his word. 
From hut now sprang Peleides, lion-like ; 
But not alone ; with him two squires did follow, 
Both lord Automedon, and Alcimos, 

575 Whom chiefly was Achilles wont to honour 
Of all his comrades, after dead Patroclus. 
Then loosed they from the yoke both mules and horses, 
And in-doors led the aged king's attendant, 
The herald summoner, and seated him 
On bench ; then took they from the shapely wain 
The countless ransom-price for Hector's body : 

580 But left two cloaks, and a fair-woven coat, 

Wherewith he might enwrap the corse and give it 
For carriage home. Now called he forth his damsels 
And bade them wash and 'noint the corse all o'er, 
First bearing it aloof, that so king Priam 
Might not behold his son ; lest at the sight 
Of his dead child, he might not keep concealed 

585 The bitter wrath within his troubled soul ; 

And lest Achilles' own heart should be stirred, 
So as to slaughter him, and thus transgress 
The 'hest of mighty Zeus. Now when the damsels 
Had washed and 'nointed him with oil, and put 
A goodly coat as well as cloak about him, 
Achilles then himself uplifted him, 

590 And laid him on a bier : then up together 



book il. 687 

Upon the shapely wain his comrades raised it. 
Out then he wailed aloud, and thus by name 
Called to his own dear friend : " Oh Be not wroth 
' With me, Patroclus, shouldst thou hear perchance, 
'Yea though in Hades' realm, I've giv'n prince Hector 
1 Up to his father on receipt of ransom ; 

595 ' For ransom has he giv'n me not unseemly ; 
1 Whereof to Thee again I '11 portion out 
' Pull fitting share." He spake ; then into his hut 
Godlike Achilles went again and sat him 
Upon the quaint-wrought lounge-chair, whence he had 

risen, 
By the other wall, and spake this word to Priam : 
" Thy son, old Sir, is now giv'n up to thee, 

600 ' E'en as thou bad'st ; and on a bier he lies ; 

' And with first peep of morn thyself shalt see him, 
i And take him : but bethink we now of supper. 
1 For even the fair-haired Niobe bethought her 
1 Of taking food, although within her halls 
'Perished had her twelve children ; six the daughters; 
'And six her sons, in pride and prime of life : 

605 * These with his silver Bow Apollo slew, 
' In wrath with Niobe ; and Artemis, 
' The Arrow-loving Queen, slew those, her daughters ; 
■ Because she used to match herself forsooth 
1 Against the fair-cheeked Leto : borne had Leto 
' But two, she said; while she herself was mother 
* Of many a child : yet they, though only two, 

610 * Slew outright all the many. They did lie 
1 Nine days in blood-shed : and to bury them 
1 There was not one : for turned had Chronides 
' The people into stones : on the tenth day 



688 THE ILIAD. XXIY. ' 

' The heavenly gods howe'er did bury them. 

1 Of meat then She bethought her, when of weeping 

1 A-wearied was she : and somewhere 'mongst rocks, 

615 ' On lonely heights, on Sipylos (whereon 

( Are the fair beds, they say, of goddess-nymphs, 
1 Who ply the dance on Acheloiis' banks), 
' There brooding is she now, stone though she be, 
' O'er troubles from the gods. Come then, for food 
1 Now let us twain take thought, revrend Sire : 
' And for thy son, when carried into Ilion, 

620 ' Then, forsooth mayst thou weep ; for sure with thee 
1 Much will he be lamented." Spake he thus : 
Then to his feet upstarted swift Achilles, 
And slew a silver-shining sheep ; and comrades 
Both flayed and dressed it carefully in order, 
Then deftly cut it up, and fixed on spits, 
Cunningly broiled, and drew all off again. 

625 Automedon now took and dealt out bread 

From goodly cane-wov'n baskets on the table ; 

And lord Achilles carved the flesh-meat messes. 

Then on the viands ready set before them 

They stretched forth hands. Now when of meat and drink 

They had put away desire, then yea with wonder 

Did Priam Dardanides gaze on Achilles, 

630 How tall he was, and what a gallant bearing ; 
For fashioned was he like the gods to look at. 
At Priam Dardanides Achilles also 
Did marvel, as he viewed his goodly form, 
And listened unto his word. Now when at length 
They had their fill of looking each at other, 
Foremost the godlike revrend sire, old Priam, 

635 Addressed the chief: " Prince, now let me go 



BOCK /2. 



689 



640 



645 



650 



655 



1 To bed with readiest speed; that haply now 
1 We may be comforted by balmy Sleep 
t And take our rest : for not yet 'neath their lids 
' Have mine eyes closed, e'er since beneath thy hands 
' My dear son lost his life ; but evermore 
' I sigh and brood o'er countless woes, and roll me 
' Amid the dirt in court-yard for sheer grief. 
' Here now at last I've eaten of bread, and sent 
' The red wine down my throat : afore indeed, 
' Not e'er a morsel had I touched." He spake : 
So now Achilles bade his mates and damsels 
To set forth bedsteads in the corridor, 
And goodly purple rugs to cast thereon, 
And on the top thereof he spread out blankets, 
And lay thick cloaks wherein to wrap oneself. 
Then forth from hall went they, with torch in hand, 
And soon with busy speed prepared two beds. 
Anon foot-swift Achilles laughingly 
Accosted thus his guest : " In outer room, 
Dear rev'rend Sire, now lay thee ; lest perchance 
Hither should come some Argive prince of counsel ; 
For ever sitting here with me are such, 
To ponder plans, e'en as 'tis meet and right : 
Of whom should haply any one spy Thee 
During the dark sw^ift-passing night, then sure 
To Agamemnon, pastor of the host, 
He straight would, blab; then haply would there be 
A putting off of ransoming the corse. 
But come now, say me this ; and tell me true ; 
For days how many dost thou wish, — to bury 
Prince Hector with due honours? that so long 
Both I myself meanwhile may keep me quiet, 

44 



690 THE ILIAD. XXIV. 

' And also stay the host." Then answered him 
660 The godlike sire old Priam : " If indeed 

1 Now willing art thou I should pay full rites 

* Of burial to prince Hector,— by such dealing 
'Thou wouldst, Achilles, do me welcome kindness. 

' For how we're cooped up in the Town, thou knowest : 
'And fire-wood is a long way off for fetching 
' From off the mountain : and in sore dismay 
665 'Are all the Trojans. Nine days in our halls 
' Him would we mourn ; and bury on the tenth, 
1 And have our people feasted ; on the eleventh, 

* Would raise o'er Hhn a mound : then on the twelfth, 
1 If so forsooth needs must, we'll be at war." 

Anon the able-footed prince Achilles 

In answer spake to him : " All this even so 

670 l Shall be, rev'rend Priam, as thou urgest : 
' I'll stop the war for all the time thou bidst." 
So saying, at wrist he clasped the old king's right hand, 
Lest haply fearful should he be at heart. 
So there in forefront chamber of the hut 
To bed went they, both Priam and his herald, 
Well-stored with cunning counsels in their breasts. 

675 And in the strong-built camp-hut's inner chamber 
Slept prince Achilles ; where beside him lay 
The comely-cheeked Briseis. Now both gods, 
As well as charioteering men of war, 
Were slumbering all, by gentle Sleep o'ercome, 
Throughout the night : no hold howe'er had Sleep 
On Ready-Helper Hermes, who in heart 

680 Was pondering how to speed king Priam forth 
Safe from the galleys, and to 'scape the notice 
Of sacred watchers at the gates. Anon, 



BOOK fl 691 

He stood above his head, and thus addressed him : 
" rev'rend Sire ! now sure no fear of ill 
' Hast Thou forsooth at heart, that still sleep'st thus, 
1 'Mongst foemen, though Achillas has dismissed thee ! 

685 ' Thou'st ransomed now thy son, and giv'n large quittance : 
' Yet sure thy children yonder, left behind, 
1 For Thee alive will pay a ransom-price, 
i Yea thrice as large, if haply Agamemnon, 
' The son of Atreus, comes to know of thee ; 
' And soon shall all the Achaians come to know." 
He spake : whereat afeared was the aged king, 

690 And waked his herald up : straight then did Hermes 
Yoke them their mules and horses : and himself 
Drave them with tearing speed along the host, 
And none e'er knew. But when they reached the ford 
Of eddying Xanthus' comely-flowing river, 
Whom deathless Jove begat, — away forthwith 
Hermes departed unto tall Olympus; 

695 And spread abroad came saffron-mantled Morn 

O'er all the earth. Driving meanwhile were They, 
With tears and sighs, the horses to the Town ; 
By mules the corse was borne. And no one else 
Kenned their approach at first, save that Cassandra, 
In beauty like to golden Aphrodite, 

700 Had gone aloft on Pergamos, and spied 

Her father, standing on his chariot-board, — 

And the Town-sum'ner Herald : and laid forth 

On bier, upon the mule-wain, Him she saw.: 

Then shrieked she, and cried aloud with voice that thrilled 

Through all the Town : " Trojans, and Trojan women ! 

* Haste ye and look on Hector, if indeed 

705 'You e'er did welcome him on his return 



692 THE ILIAD. XXIY. 

' From battle, while alive ; for great delight 
' Both to the Town, and all the land, Was He." 
She spake : then in the City was there left 
Not ever a man, or woman ; for on all 
Came sadness witb~;it check ; and near the gates 
In fell they with the bearer of the Dead. 

710 Foremost rushed both his wife and lady mother 
Unto the fair-wheeled wain, and clasped his head, 
And rent o'er him their hair ; while standing round 
Wailing was all the crowd. Sure the whole day 
E'en unto sun-down 'fore the gates they had wept 
And wailed o'er Hector, had not the aged sire 

715 Out-spoken from his chariot to the people : 

" Draw back, I pray you, for the mules to pass ; 
' And when I Ve brought him home, then shall ye take 
' Your fill of wailing." Spake he thus : whereat 
Aside stood they, and to the wain gave passage. 
Into the noble halls now when they had brought him, 
On a state-bed quaint-carved they laid him forth : 

720 And minstrels placed they at the side thereof, 
Leaders of dirges : and a doleful dirge 
Sang they, those minstrel-men ; whereat the women 
Did groan again. And in their sad lament 
White-armed Andromache was foremost mourner, 
Holding the head meanwhile of slaughterous Hector 
Betwixt her hands : " Husband ! young in thine age, 

725 ' Oh perished hast thou ! and leav'st Me behind 
1 A widow in our halls : and mere babe yet 
' The boy, to whom both Thou and I, most luckless, 
\ Gave birth ; nor can I hope that he '11 e'er reach 
1 His manhood's bloom : from top to bottom first 
1 Destroyed will be this Town ; for dead art thou, 



BOOK n. 



093 



1 Its Guardian, who didst shield it, and in safety 

730 ' Didst keep its infant babes and tender wives ; 
' Whoso on in hollow ships shall now be carried, 
'And sure amongst them /: and Thou, my child, 
1 Shalt either go with me, where thou must struggle 
1 And work unseemly works for surly master : 
' Or up by hand shall some Achaian snatch 

735 ' And hurl thee down from tower to sorry death, — 
' In wrath ; because that Hector slew mayhap 
1 His brother, or his father, or e'en son : 
i For under Hector's hands full many an Argive 
1 Has bitten the earth's immeasurable face. 
' Ko softling was thy father wont to be 
1 In gloomy battle : therefore Him indeed 

740 i Throughout the Town do all our folk bewail. 
' And on thy parents, Hector, hast thou laid 
1 Wailing and grief accursed ; but bequeathed 
' Are gloomy troubles unto Me most chiefly : 
s For at thy death thou stretchedst not thine arms 
' To me from forth thy bed : nor didst thou say 
' Any last w T ord of counsel unto me, 

745 ' Whereof I might amidst my tears bethink me, 
' Unceasingly, by night as well as day." 
So spake she wailing ; w T hereupon her women 
Did groan again. Anon then Hecuba 
Amongst them thus began her sore lament : 
" Hector ! of all my children far dearest 
1 Unto my soul, sure whilst I had thee living, 

750 ' Well-pleasing wast thou to the gods, and They 
' Have cared for Thee, yea even in doom of death. 
( For sure foot-swift Achilles aye did sell 
' Mine other sons, whome'er he chanced to take ; 



694 THE ILIAD. XXIV. 

1 Sold them beyond the barren sea,— at Samos; 

i At Imbros ; at inhospitable Lemnos : 

1 But when with long -edged sword he took away 

755 ' The life of Thee, he dragged thee many a time 
' About the mound of his own friend Patroclus, 
' Whom thou didst kill : yet Him he raised not so 
' To life again. But here now in our halls 
1 Thou'rt lying fresh as dew and newly slain, 
' Like unto one on whom forsooth Apollo, 
1 Lord of the Silver Bow, had made attack, 

760 ' And with his gentle bolts had put to death." 
So spake she wailing ; and thereby upstirred 
Woe unabating. Third amongst them then 
Did Helen thus begin her sore lament : 
" Hector! dearest to my soul by far 
' Of all my husband's brethren ! sure indeed 
' The godlike Alexander is my lord ; 

765 ' He brought me unto Troy. 'Would first I had perished. 
' Already 'tis my twentieth year here now, 
' Since thence I came, and quitted mine own country. 
' Yet never have I heard ill speech from Thee, 
' Nor 'spiteful : but if ever one, or other, 
1 Amongst my husband's brethren, or his sisters, 
' Or brother's comely-mantled wives, attacked 

770 ' Me in the palace ; or did mother-in-law — 
' (Kind, as own father, was my father-in-law, 
' Unceasingly) ; — then such didst Thou by words 
' Rebuke and check, both by thy gentle mood, 
' And by thy kindly words. Wherefore both Thee 
' At once and me unhappy I bewail, 
' Sore grieved at heart : for now remains no longer 

"775 ' Any one else friendly or kind to me 



book ft. 695 

' Throughout broad Troy ; for all at me do shudder." 

So spake she wailing : and the countless folk 

Did groan again thereat : anon old Priam 

Unto the people spake this word and said : 

" Trojans ! now T fetch ye firewood to the Town, 

1 And have at heart no fear of close-packed ambush 

780 ' Of Argives : for Achilles charged me thus, 

' When he dismissed me from the dusky ships, — 
1 Not shall they vex us, ere the twelfth morn come." 
He spake : and to their wains they forthwith yoked 
Their mules and oxen : and before the City 
Soon gathered they together. Past all tale 
Then firewood were they bringing for nine days : 

785 But when the tenth peeped forth with dawning light 
Shining on mortals, then indeed all weeping 
They carried out bold Hector : and the corse 
On topmost pile they laid ; and then set fire. 
And when, once more, forth peeped rose-fingered Eos, 
Sprung from the womb of Dawn, then did the folk 
Eound noble Hector's funeral-pyre wake up : 

790 And when all gathered were they and come together, 
First all the funeral-pyre with ruddy wine 
They put quite out, where'er the mighty flame 
Had taken hold : straight then the whitened bones 
Brethren and comrades gathered up, all weeping ; 
And down their cheeks the big warm tear did run. 
The bones then took they and laid in golden urn, 

795 Covering all o'er with carpets of soft purple : 
Into the hollow grave anon they laid them, 
And covered o'er with close-laid mighty stones. 
A mound then heaped they hastily ; and scouts 
Were set all round, for fear the fair-greaved Argives 



696 THE ILIAD. XXIV. 

Should make attack before the work were done. 
800 The mound thus heaped, for home again they moved. 
Assembling then together they were feasted 
At a right glorious feast within the halls 
Of Ilion's Jove-loved king, the rev'rend Priam. 

So mourned they Hector, the horseman prince deceas'd^ 
And busied them about his funeral-feast. 



TeXo?. 



STEPHEN AUSTIN, PRINTER, HERTFORD. 



ALPHABETICAL IXDEX TO THE BOOKS. 



1 ALPHA : the prayers of Chryses : plague breaks out 
'llongst the Argive host : the quarrel of their Chiefs. 

2 EETA : the Dream : trial of the Argive host : 

The muster of men ; the catalogue of ships. 

3 GAUAIA : how Paris fights with lEenelaus 
In single combat : from the Trojan towers 
The battle-field is viewed by Priam and Helen. 

4 DELTA : the breach of treaty : the Argive Chief 
In haste reviews his troops : fighting begins. 

5 EPSILOX : Dionied ; his doughty deeds. 

6 ZETA : the interview and parting words 
'Twixt Hector and his wife Andromache. 

7 ETA : prince Hector fights in single combat 
With greater Ajax, son of Telamon. 

8 THETA : the interrupted fight : the Achaians 
Are terrified, and flee before prince Hector. 

9 IOTA sings the embassy to Achilles. 

10 KAPPA : the night-work : scouts from either side. 

1 1 LAALBD A : the doughty deeds of Agamemnon. 



45 



698 ALPHABETICAL INDEX TO THE BOOKS. 

12 MU sings the Battle at the Achaians' ramparts. 

13 NIT: how Poseidon, beyond ken of Zeus, 
Gives help and mast'ry to the Achaian side. 

14 XI : how by lady Here Zens is wheedled. 

15 OMICBOJNT : how 'gainst Here and Poseidon 
Zens is full wroth : the rallying of the Trojans. 

16 PI : of Patroclus and his daring deeds : 

And how by Hector's lance he is done to death. 

1 7 EHO : Menelaus' gallant deeds are seen, 
And sturdy struggles for Patroclus' body. 

18 SIGMA: the fashion of Achilles' armour 
Forged by Hephaistos at the prayer of Thetis. 

19 TAU : how Achilles puts away his wrath, 
Dons his new arms, and rushes to the battle. 

20 UPSILON sings the Battle of the gods, 

And many a marv'lous deed of prince Achilles. 

21 PHI sings Achilles battling in the river. 

22 CHI : how the son of Thetis kills prince Hector. 

23 PSI sings the funeral-rites for lord Patroclus ; 
The feast, the pile, the victims ; games and prizes. 

24 OMEGA : Priam ransoms Hector's corse : 
The Trojan ladies mourn the prince deceas'd : 
Priam gives orders for the funeral rites, 

The blazing fire, the mound, and funeral-feast. 



Lately Published, uniform with the Iliad, by the same Translator, 
Post Octavo, Cloth, Price 12s., 



HOMER'S ODYSSEY, 



REPRODUCED IN DRAMATIC BLANK VERSE. 



" Valuable for its vigour aud general faithfulness. " — Spectator. 

" A very close, and generally accurate version. We have compared it closely and 
critically with the Greek in many places, and we can therefore commend it for its 
fidelity as well as for its genial diction." — Some and Foreign Review. 



Also, by the same Translator, Post Octavo, Sewed, Price Is., 

BATEACHO-MYO-MACHIA; 

OR, 

THE BATTLE OF THE FROGS AND MICE. 

AN HOMERIC FABLE. 
REPRODUCED IN DRAMATIC BLANK VERSE. 



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have not yet appreciated it, we counsel them to buy the cheapest text of the original, 
and Norgate's translation." — The Museum and English Journal of Education, 



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